
Glass-L 
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD, 



BY 



J. D. KINGSBUKY. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY 



BRADFORD, MASS. 



PROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE CLOSE OF 1882. 



BY J. D. KINGSBURY. 




HAVERHILL, MASS.: 

C. C MORSE & SON, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 

1883. 



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MEMORIAL HISTORY. 



riEST SETTLEMENT. 

A little company of Yorkshire farmers appear in the 
untrodden wilderness of Agawam. The unbroken forest 
reaches from the Merrimack to the Naumkeag. There 
is only a little settlement at Ipswich and at Rowley. 
Across the river there is a little church under the hill, 
at the lower edge of Pentucket Cemetery. It is stock- 
aded with clean and smooth poles sixteen feet high. 
Around that house of God are gathered the houses of 
the first settlers of Haverhill. 

It is 1649 — significant year — Charles I. is beheaded in 
front of Whitehall. Palace. The free commonwealth of 
England rises to the full of its power. The colonies 
are inspirited by the news which came over the sea that 
the principles of civil rights and religious liberty are 
gaining the ascendancy. Tliese Yorkshire farmers came 
over from the native land but a little time ago. They 
are now a part of the Massachusetts colony. Their 
leader also dies this year — the wise, charitable, scholar- 
ly, devout and intrepid Winthrop. His life, a strange 
contrast to the life of his dead sovereign, stands as the 
emblem of that imperial freedom -which henceforth is to 
be the birthright of man. There has been a growth in 
ideas. We read it in the history of the House of Tudor 
and the House of Stuart. That longing and aspiration 
after freedom, that regnant power of conscience, that 
reverence for God which had become a holy passion, 
that intelligent, determined, invincible purpose, mingling 
with the principle of loyalty to the Divine law, assert- 
ing itself in the heart of the English natiou is the Puri- 
tan element in history. It was the sublimest manhood 

(5) 



6 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

in its contest with imperial power. It was the grandest 
heroism the world has ever seen in its exile and strug- 
gle on the rugged shores of the new world. 

We celebrate to-day the growth of the Puritan idea. 
We go back to the year 1649 when the first settlers 
came. Twelve years before, a company of Yorksliire 
smiths and carpenters and farmers and weavers turn their 
thoughts toward the new world. They land at Salem, 
they settle at Rowley, sixty families. There is a pleas- 
ant little village down near the sea, where the great elms 
have cast a century's shade. The weavers have erected 
a mill, and have woven the first cotton in the colonies. 

There walks among those colonists a man of devout 
spirit, great dignity of character and an indomitable will. 
It is Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, leader of the colony, pastor of 
the flock, a non-conformist, a man of wordly substance, of 
education and personal influence, type of the New Eng- 
land hero. He gathered the sixty families. He settles 
with his flock. They call it Rogers's plantation. It cov- 
ers the territory now occupied by Rowley and Georgetown 
and Groveland and Boxford and Bradford. After the first 
season they change the name to Rowley, from their love to 
the old Rowley of York. They name ona of their streets 
Bradford because that was the early home of some of them. 

The settlement was made at first precisely where the 
present village of Rowley stands. Village lots were laid 
out according to the heads of the families and their abil- 
ity to pay. The whole of the townships outside was 
held in "commons,"* which extended "five miles every 
way and not to be laid out to any person." This com- 
pact social life was a necessity. The country was infested 
with wolves and bears, and the lurking Indian was al- 
ways ready to attack the defenceless. 

♦Every 1 1-2 acre house lot shall have I 1-2 gates or cow rights. 
<■<■ 2 " " " 4 1-2 " " 

" 3 '« '« " 13 1-2 " " 

" 6 " " " 45 " " 

In 1673-4 the "commons" were divided.— Ga^e. p. 138. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. *J 

The settlement on the Merrimack was an expansion 
of the little colon3^ The Hasseltines came over with 
Rogers. They were probably hardy, vigorous men with 
little education. John could not write his name. They 
were the pioneers in the movement for the larger growth 
on the western side. It was the pride of hope and ex- 
pectation that the plantation might flourish from the 
river to the sea. These pioneers who have come into 
the valley of the river are looking for a home. There 
is. a sunny spot, on the easterly slope of the pleasant 
grove which stands now, as then, near the site of the old 
town house and pound, where the soil is mellow, and 
the first flowers open and the early birds chant the first 
welcome to spring. Near that place they built the first 
house. 

John and Robert Hasseltine and William Wilde. They 
are herdsmen. Rowley plantation has sent its herds into 
the forests, and these men, with flint-lock musket and 
ten foot pikes, guard them from the wolf and bear and 
the Indians who prowl in the wilderness. A little 
later they build houses at Indian Hill, the place where 
they afterwards built the minister's house and the church, 
and laid out the burial place. In a few years houses 
appear on the Merrimack. 

It was a lonely region when those herdsmen came. 
They opened a little place among the oaks and pines. 
The rest was all wilderness. The herds are turned 
into the forest, a fence of poles and brush is raised 
round the extreme boundary. By degrees the clearings in 
the forest grow wider. The increasing herds gain better 
pasture. The English grasses appear on the uplands with 
richer green, and the fields of corn and wheat and barley 
give cheerful look to the new settlement. It is primitive 
life ; none of the modern furniture in the liouse ; no 
stoves, but the open fireplace and the Dutch oven and 
the iron spit, and the precious iron kettle, and never-to- 
be-forgotten pewter platter. The flax is growing in the 



8 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

field close by. There is a loom in the corner of the 
cabin, a spinning wheel and a quill wheel, a warping 
frame and scairns, a reel and swifts. After a while, Ann 
Hasseltine, the first bride of Rowley, will spread out her 
linen on the grass to whiten in rain and sun ; and the 
thick warm flannel from the loom will be folded and 
laid away for winter use, for Robert will need it when 
the winter days come, and he must guard those herds in 
winter's cold as well as summer's heat. 

Those three settlers were granted special privileges by 
the town of Rowley. The agreement was made with 
them, in accordance with the vote of the town, by 
Matthew Boyes, Francis Parrott, with the selectmen, 
Richard Swan, "William Stickney, William Hobson, Sam- 
uel Brocklebank and William Tenney, names which af- 
terwards appear frequently in the annals of Bradford. 
The agreement was at first made imperfectly. The above 
men were empowered to renew the covenant in 1652. 
It was as follows : 

"Imprimis, That the Town of Rowley hath granted to the said Robert 
Haseltine,* John Haseltine and William Wilde, each of them 40 acres of 
upland, to be laid out to them as convenient as may be without the great 
prejudice of the town." 

" 2d. The said town of Rowley hath granted to the aforesaid parties, 
each of them, to have commons lor 20 head of cattle, which said commons 
they shall have liberty to fence in, wholly or in part, as they see cause. 
Provided, that the town of Rowley doth declare that they did restrain 
them from liberty to erect any more than three tenements upon any part 
of the aforesaid upland or commons." 

" 3d. The town hath granted to each of them 20 acres of meadow and 
which meadow and upland shall be laid out to them when they claim it, 
unless some Providence of God shall hinder." 

" 4th. They have liberty to get, each of them, a thousand of Pipe.staves 
yearly, for the space of seven years, which years began in 1649." 

" 5th. They have liberty on the commons to cut firewood for their 
families as also timber for building, and for fencing in of their ground, pro- 
vided, that they are not to fall any fencing stuff within a quarter of a mile 
of the pasture fence," 

" They are to be freed from all towne charges for the lands, houses, four 

♦This name is variously spelled in the records. The earliest spelling 
is Heseltine. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 9 

oxen, and six cows and four calves, each of them such a quantity, during 
the space of seven years, begun in 1649 ; also they have liberty to keep 
swine." 

" For and in consideration of all the aforesaid privileges, granted by the 
town of Rowley, to the aforesaid Robert, John, and William, and their 
heirs and assigns, they have covenanted with the said towne, for them- 
selves, their heirs and assigns, sufficiently to look to the herd of cattle, 
that the towne of Rowley shall put into the pasture during the time of 
seven years. Provided the cattle be two years old and upward. Provided, 
also, the town shall give them 25. by the day, for so much time as they 
shall spend about looking to said pasture." 

" 2d. The said Robert, John, and William doth covenant with the 
towne to provide convenient diet and lodging, at indifferent times, to any 
that the towne shall send to keep any herd there." 

The boundaries enlarge ; other famihes settle near ; 
the J push on to the river, farms are laid out, the fear 
of the Indians grows less. Rogers took great pains to se- 
cure the highlands above us which we call Head's Hill. 
By some mistake, that was not included in the original 
grant. Rogers had travelled through all this wilderness. 
He marked that beautiful swell of upland which catches 
the first raj-s of the morning sun. He had looked out 
through the oak trees from the highest point upon some 
of the finest river scenery in New England. He had 
fixed on that western slope as his boundary. It was 
laid out to Andover. When he discovered the mistake 
he went before the General Court and demanded it. 
But he was refused. He asserted his right, but to no 
purpose, and he left the court in passion, declaring he 
would lay the case before the elders. Afterwards he 
apologized for his hot temper but still maintained his 
right, and when the court understood that he would not 
relinquish, they gave him his desire. The incident shows 
the man. A stranger passing through Rowley asked 
him in the style of Puritan speech, "Are you the man 
that serves here ?" ^'-/Serves .'" said he, " I am the man 
that rules here." That man was not to be thwarted 
when he set his lieart upon making the noble height his 
boundary toward the setting sun. 

The laying out of lands in farms began after the first 



10 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 



settlers had occupied the ground about ten years. John 
Haseltine takes up the lot which includes the west half 
of the village. His lower corner is where the road turns 
by Jacob Kimball's.* Robert, his brother, and Wilde are 
in partnership with him. Their meadow land is well 
known to this day as the Haseltine meadow. In 1658 
Joseph Jewett has laid out to him the whole of " Brad- 
ford Neck," reaching to Corchitawick (now North An- 
dover). One Glover settles near the "cove" by Lafay- 
ette Day's. 

In 1671 the following lots were laid out below the 
farm of Glover : 



To Joseph Chaplin, 


35 acres ii 1-2 


John Simmonds, in 


right of Widow Cooper, 42 " 


12 


Abraham Foster, 


" John Burbank, 37 " 


12 


John Simmonds, 


" Thomas Palmer, 36 " 


14 


John Simmonds, 


" Wm. Wilde and anoth. 66 " 


27 


John Simmonds, 


" Hugh Smith, 38 " 


12 


Jonathan Hopkinson, 


" Michael Hopkinson, 32 " 


14 


Samuel Boswell, 


" Wm.and J'n Boynton, 53 " 


241-2 


James Dickinson, 


" Thomas Dickinson, 5? " 


23 


Deacon Jewett, 


" John Spoforth, 95 " 


31 1-2 


Mrs. Kimball, Boston, 


„ r John Remington „ 
\ and Geo. Kilborn, ^°^ 


30 


( James Canada and 
( James Barker, Jr. 


II ( James Barker, and u 




j William Stickney, "' 


33 1-2 


John Boynton, 


„ ( William Scales, and „, u 
( Richard Wicom, ^3 


26 



These lots covered the land between Head's Hill and 
the Haseltine farm and the persons to whom these lands 
were laid out were the first settlers of the town above 
the village. Below the village four lots were laid out 
the same year : 

To John Watson, in right of Thomas Abbot, 



Widow A. Mighill, 

Thomas Kimball, (number of acres not known). 

Widow Ann Hobson, 



50 acres 11 rods wide at the river. 
215 " 72 " " 



260 " 44 

Thomas Kimball was the man who was killed by the 
Indians. Dr. Perr}^ says his house was on the road to 
Boxford, by which he means a road leading from what 
is now South Groveland to Boxford. The Indians were 

* Wilde after a few years sold out and went to Ipswich where he died in 
1662. lie sold part of his land to the Haseltines and the rest to George 
Uadley. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. II 

on their way to Rowley that night of the terrible mas- 
sacre, but changed their mind, went back and turned 
aside on another road to commit this murder. In Oct. 
1676, the General Court remembered that lonely widow 
by the abatement of her taxes after her cruel captivity. 
Bradford was not so much troubled by Indian depreda- 
tions as some of the neighboring towns. But defence 
was needful. There were three garrison houses built, 
viz. : one near the John Day place in the upper dis- 
trict ; one near the old parsonage at Indian Hill ; one 
where widow Rebecca Foster lived. This last was pali- 
saded. There was a block house near Mitchell's Falls 
where the inhabitants often kept watch. Another Thomas 
Kimball living near the residence of the late John Mar- 
ble was afterwards taken captive by the Indians, but 
was not killed. The location of his house is shown at 
this day. 

Popidation increases. Haverhill has come to be a near 
neighbor. The frequent visits to and fro have already 
begun that long friendship which, whatever names men 
may call them by, will make them one forever. Robert 
Haseltine has been plying his ferry across the river for 
several years by order of General Court, with liberty to 
"charge fourpence if paid presently, and sixpence if 
booked." 



NINETEEN YEAES AFTEE. 

The line of the river is cleared of trees. Along the 
river front the hardy yeomen have now a broad belt of 
" ploughed land," that is, land that has been ploughed 
and brought under cultivation. Above this is another 
belt, partially cleared, and bounded by marked trees. 
Still higher on the slope is the upper range of marked 
trees, and l)eyond is still unbroken forest. The road 
which now leads to Andover, is laid out and at least 



12 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

thirteen houses have been built between the ferry at 
Haverhill and the Andover line. Along the river from 
the ferry ran the road to Rowley. In 1662, this road 
was relaid, and coming up what is now Main Street, 
turned at John Haseltine's corner, which is the corner 
of Main and Salem Streets.* 

The years have passed quickly. Robert Haseltine ha? 
a happy group of seven children. John, his brother, 
has three. Their companion Wilde, has gone to Ipswich. 
The Kiraballs have come into the heritage, the Chaplins, 
Hopkinson, Boynton and Dickinson ; the Watsons and 
Mighills and Tenneys and Bailey and Jewett and Worster 
and Stickney and West and Barker and Shubal Walker, 
Simonds, Hall, Savory, Gage, Griffin and many others, who 
are to play a prominent part in the history of the town. 

Changes have come to Rowley. Most important of 
all is the death of the leading spirit, Rev. Ezekiel Rogers. 
He died Jan. 23, 1660. He had grown feeble in later 
years. Manifold trouble had wearied mind and body 
He wrote to his friend Rev. Zechariah Symmes, of Charles 
town, (father of the first pastor of Bradford,) " I am 
"hastening home. Oh, good brother, I thank God, I 
" am near home, and you, too, are not far off. We 
" shall sit next the martyrs and confessors. Cheer up 
" your spirits. Let us be zealous for our God and Christ. 
"Now the Lord bring us well through our poor pil- 
" grima.ge." In his will, he gives the story of his life, 

* Robert and Ann Haseltine were married 23 d. 10 mo. 1639, being the 
first married in Rowley. Their children are Ann, born 1 d. 2 mo. 1641. 
Mary, born 8 mo. 1642, died in infancy. Mary, born 14 d. 12 mo. 1646. 
Abraham, born 23 d. 3 mo. 1648. Married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard 
Langhorn, Oct. 4, 1669; was town clerk of Bradford from 1686 to 1690, 
when his brother, Capt. David II., was chosen and continued till 1703. 
Deliverance b. 21 d. 1 mo. 1651. Elizabeth b. 15 d. 11 mo. 1652. Robert 
b. 7 d. 9 mo. 1657. Married Elizabeth, daughter of Maximilian Jewett, 
21 d. 7 mo. 1680. Gersham b. 31 d. 11 mo. 1661. David was probably 
born in 1654 or 5. John Haseltine, brother of Robert, was probably mar- 
ried before ci'ossing the sea. Ills wife's name was Joan. Their children 
were Samuel, b. 20 d. 12 mo. 1645. Mary b. 9 d. 10 mo. 1648. Nathaniel, 
bora 20 d. 7 mo. 1656. Perhaps others. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADTORD. I3 

his godly ancestry, his conversion, call to the ministry, 
his suspension from the holy office " for refusing to read 
from that accursed book that allowed sports on God's 
holy Sabbath," his exile with his adherents and his life 
and "rest and comfort" in New England. He gives 
free expression to his hatred of " all the base opinions 
of Anabaptists, and Antinomians, and all other Phre- 
netics, dolays of the times." I do protest against all 
the evil fashions and guises of this age, both in ap- 
parel and that general disguisement of long ruffian- 
like hair." 

He gave his estate to his kindred in part, but largely 
to Rowley Church, on certain conditions. These condi- 
tions not beijig fulfilled the property went to Harvard 
College by his provision. 

The changes which have occurred outside the Rowley 
Plantation are very great. The Protectorate of Crom- 
well has passed away, and the great Protector is dead, 
and the kinof is ao-ain on his throne, but the free Com- 
monwealth of England remains. The pride of aristoc- 
racy has been humbled ; imperious selfishness is never 
more to have unrestrained power over the consciences 
of men. It may sit on thrones, and dwell in king's 
palaces, but henceforth it must acknowledge the freedom 
of thought, liberty of, conscience and the divine rights 
of men. 

The progress of free thought has led into diversities 
and extremes, and sometimes into falsities. The changes 
in parties and factions reveal many strange vibrations 
and silent transformations in thought and character. 
The Quakers appear with new doctrines, a divergent 
faith, strange practices and troublesome convictions of 
duty. They interrupt the public worship in Salem and 
Boston. They denounce the ministers of God as the 
servants of Satan. They " speak evil of dignitaries." 
Whereupon the Puritan, who has been exiled by intol- 
erance, becomes intolerant, orders the Quakers to be 



14 MEMORIAL. HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

whipped, imprisoned, to have the ears cropped, to he sold 
as shaves, and put to death. The General Court is over- 
taxed in applying remedies for the disorders of the times, 
and the elders of the churches are filled with grave ap- 
prehensions concerning the defections from the faith. 

Meantime, the little plantation by the Merrimack moves 
on in its quiet way. No Quakers either then or after- 
ward disturbed the easy current of social and religious 
life. The early days of peace, while the colonies were 
disturbed, were a sort of prophecy of that later life in 
which there should be perfect freedom from the wiles 
and woes of witchcraft and the delusions and animosi- 
ties of controversies which have never been known 
among us. 

Those primitive days give us little material. It was 
the early growth. It was in the midst of great difficul- 
ties and under hardships. Luxuries they had none. In- 
deed they often suffered from the need of what we call 
the necessities of life. 

Nineteen years of primitive life pass away and we 
come to the next step in the history. The popula- 
tion now spreads over a wide area. The people begin 
to think about a separate township. Old Rowley re- 
gards with kind parental indulgence the wish of the 
Bradford child. 



INOORPOMTION OF THE TOWN. 

The name which the little community first took was 
Rowley Village^ on the Merrimack. But they soon 
changed that to " Merrimack," which was the common 
designation till Jan. 7, 1672, when the name was 
changed to Bradford, in memory of Bradford in Eng- 
land. The taxes which belonged by right to Rowley 
have already been granted to the Merrimack settlers by 



, MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. I5 

the mother town.* The first recorded action which we 
find looking towards a new township is on the records 
of the General Court, and is as follows : — 

At the meeting of the General Court in 1668, the 
following order was passed, anticipating the incorpora- 
tion of the town : 

" In answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Rowley, living over 
against Haverhill, the Court having considered the petition, perused the 
town of Rowley's grant to the petitioners, heard Rowley's deputy, and 
also considering a writing sent from Rowley, with what els hath been pre- 
sented in the case doe find that there is liberty granted to the petitioners 
by the town of Rowley to provide themselves of a minister and also an in- 
tent to release them from their township when they are accordingly pro- 
vided, and therefore see not but this court may grant their petition to be 
a township provided they doe gett and setle an able and orthodox minister 
and continue to maynteigne him or else to remain to Rowley as formerly." 

The first object in having separate organization is 
told in the last words of this resolution. They were 
planning for the church and the minister of God. The 
first meeting of the town is called in 1668. At that 
meeting it appears they have already secured their pas- 
tor. Rev. Ezekiel Rogers was an intimate friend of 
Zechariah Symmes, of Charlestown. It was natural that 
this intimacy should lead to such acquaintance between 
the parties that even after the death of Rogers, the son 
of his friend should be introduced as a candidate for 
the new pastorate. 

At the first meeting of the town they vote his salary 
forty pounds, one half in wheat, pork, butter and cheese, 
the other half in corn and cattle. The next year they 
increased his salary to fifty pounds, and paid for mov- 
ing his goods from Cliarlestown, and gave him forty 
acres of land. The parsonage was finished under Mr. 
Symmes' direction. For two years they worship in a 
private house, possibly in a barn. But in 1670, they 

* In 1669, Rowley voted that the inhabitants of the village, (Boxford) , 
shall pay taxes as other freemen, but they may appropriate these first to 
the expense of the village, next to improve the minister's farm. There is 
evidence that a similar "grant" was made to Bradford. — Rowley Records. 



l6 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. . 

build the meeting-house. Samuel Heseltiue has " one 
peck of corn from every voter for sweeping the meet- 
ing house." In the history of the next fifty years the 
records of the town show that the most important busi- 
ness transacted by the town was that which had imme- 
diate relation to the minister and the worship of God. 
This was according to Puritan idea, "it being," as some 
one says, "as unnatural" for a right New England man 
to live without an able ministry, as for a smith to work 
iron without fire." * 



PUBLIC AND PEIVATE EDIFICES. 

The primitive house was doubtless built of logs. It 
was roofed with the coarse thatch from the marshes. 
No windows except oiled paper fastened over the hole 
left between the logs. The chimney on the end, some- 
times on each end, giving place for the cheerful log fir^, 
before which in the evening was drawn up the old fash- 
ioned " settle," with high back to keep off the cold air. 
In later times the houses were more elaborate, some of 
them two-storied, windows hung on hinges swinging out- 
ward. The house built for Mr. Symmes in 1668 we have 
no account of, only that it was finished under his direc- 
tion, but the second parsonage, standing where Mr. 
Towne now lives, opposite the old cemetery, was built 
in 1708, and was "46 feet by 20 and 15 feet stud and 
four chimbleys." f 

The first school-house was built on the meeting-house 
lot, and was 22 feet long, 18 feet wide and 7 feet posts.J 
There are still standing several buildings which have 
historical interest in connection with the schools. In 
Mr. John Ellis's yard there stands a small building which 

* Johnson. 

t See Town Records. 

t Perry's llis. Disc, p. 16. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 1 7 

in the early part of the century was built and used for 
a school; it stood on the road leading to Gage's Ferry. 
On the land of Lafayette Day there is a portion of the 
second building used for a school-house in that part of 
the town. On the premises of Charles Hasseltine the 
"old red school-house" is still standing. The house now 
owned by F. Croston in the village, was used for many 
years for a school-house, and in that house Miss Mary 
Hasseltine and her associates gathered the first Sabbath 
school. The house latel}^ owned by Mrs. Joseph Parsons 
has a portion of the addition to the first Bradford 
Academy building. 

The connection between the school-house and the 
church was very close. Education and religion went 
hand in hand. It was not strange to see the two build- 
ings standing side by side. The meeting-house was the 
place of worship first of all, but it was the place for 
all town business ; the rallying point for every loyal 
concern ; the centre of all civil affairs. The magistrates 
often held court there. The whipping post and the pil- 
lory were set up in its yard and well to the front.* 
The pound for cattle occupied a corner, the school- 
house by its side, and behind all on the green slope 
facing the east they laid their friends to rest when, 
weary with life, they fell asleep. 

The style of the early churches we know little about. 
The first was built in 1670, and was probably a rude 
log house. 

Lumber was not easy to obtain. The saw mills came 
in tardily. The first lumber was sawed by hand. The 
log was lifted upon a frame. A pit was dug under- 
neath in which the lower man stood. A stage was 
built over the log for the other man. The saw, 8 to 10 

* There is no evidence that the stocks or the whipping post ever occupied 
the post of honor by the side of the meeting-house in Bradford, but the 
stocks were set up by the side of the meetinghouse in Haverhill in the 
same year that John and Robert Ileseltine came to Bradford. The whip- 
ping post stood there also and was often used. 



l8 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

feet long, was drawn back and forth splitting out the 
lumber ; a slow process. They did not wait for this in 
the primitive times. They built the first church of logs. 
It stood in the west corner of the old cemetery lot. 
John Heseltine gave the land. 

The following vote of the town was passed, Jan. ye 
5th, 1665 : 

" Whereas, .John Haseltine, senior, of Haverhill, hav- 
ing given to ye inhabitants of ye town of Bradford 
one acre of land to set their meeting-house on, and for 
a burying-place, and did engage them to fence it and 
maintain it ; but now upon ye motion of his son Ensign 
Samuel Haseltine, of Bradford, he seemeth to be willing 
to release ye town of that engagement, provided they 
will set up a good, sufficient five rail fence from Mr. 
Symmes' fence to Goodman Hall's fence below the bury- 
ing-place, this 3'e town assents to." It is probable that 
John Haseltine removed to Haverhill after the first few 
years of residence in Bradford. His name does not ap- 
pear in the records of the town, and when the church 
was formed his name is not among the members. He 
was a member of some church, for he was made a " free- 
man " in Rowley, in the year 1640, I think our John 
Haseltine is the same man who appears about this time 
in the records of Haverliill, and who was one of the 
early deacons of Rev. John Ward's church there. 

The first meeting-house had good height for in 1690 
they built a gallery in it. Very likely they voted as 
the church in Dedham did, to " daub the walls with 
clay and whiten it workmanlike." 

The following votes were passed in town meeting : 

April 18, 1670. " Sargent Gage, Robert Heseltine, 
Benjamin Kimball, Thomas Kimball, John Simmonds, 
Nicholas Walington and John Griffing are chosen, for the 
ordering, setting up and furnishing of a Meighting- 
House according to their best discretion for the good 
of the town." 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. I9 

Jan. 9, 1671. " Robert Heseltine, Ensign Chandler, 
and Sliubal Walker were chosen for ye looking after 
and carrying on of ye work about the meeting-house 
till it be finished, and we do grant them power to call 
upon and require men to work when they shall see oc- 
casion and opportunity according to their best discre- 
tion, and in case any shall refuse to come with hands 
or teams, after legal warning, then to pay double wages 
to be recovered by distress." 

The second church stood on the brow of the hiU a 
few rods east of the first church. It was "48 feet long, 
40 feet wide and 20 foot stud." It was built in 1705. 
The recorded action of the town is as follows: Dec. 3, 
1705. " Voted and passed on the affirmative that the 
town would forthwith build a new meeting-house, forty 
and two feet in breadth and forty-eight feet long." 
Dec, 17, 1705. It was voted that the meeting-house be 
40 feet wide and 20 feet between plates. Voted, same 
day, that the meeting-house that is voted, when it is fit 
to rayse, shall stand upon the knowl on the east side 
of the old meeting-house, within eight rods or as near 
as shall be thought convenient. Capt. David Haseltine, 
Cornet Richard Kimball and John Hutchins are ap- 
pointed building committee. The work was afterwards 
" desisted till the following winter." This house stood 
till 1751 when the location was changed and the church 
was built near the centre of our Park. The commit- 
tee appointed to build it, were Benj. Gage, Daniel 
Thurston, Nathaniel Gage, Josiah Chandler, Moses Gage. 
It faced toward the south, had the principal entrance 
through a porch on the south side. There were entrances 
also on each end. It had the old time sounding-board 
and the seats hung on hinges, and the old-fashioned 
square pews and banister railings, which the boys used 
to turn till they squeaked. Neither of these first three 
churches were painted. Neither of them had a bell or 
a clock, and only the last one had stoves, and these 



20 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

were added at a late day in the years of Parson Allen's 
ministry.* It is probable that neither of them was raised 
without a liberal supply of rum. My eye has fallen on 
a statement of the expense of an ordination one hun- 
dred 3'ears ago in Danvers. Some of the items are 

these : 

£ «. 

Buxton, for sugar 7 10 

malt 7 6 

" Rum 8 

" Wine Sugar 4 

'* I Barrel and cask 1 15 

" Syder, 15 

" New Eng. Rum 16 

The fourth church was built in 1834, and dedicated 
Oct. 8, of that year. It stood on the site of the pres- 
ent house. It proved too small for the wants of the 
congregation, and after fifteen years it was taken down 
and in 1848 the present church was built, and dedicated 
Jan. 10, 1849. It has sittings for eight hundred persons. 
Its architecture Corinthian, with fluted column and foli- 
ated capital. The church was furnished with an organ, 
which after many years' service gave place to the instru- 
ment Avhich now leads the " Service of Song," from the 
manufactory of Hook. It is a fact of interest that the 
pulpit in this church \yas presented by the children of 
the parish, and the baptismal font by the young ladies 
of Bradford Academy. The first chapel was built in 
the year 1838. The present chapel was built in 1879, 
and dedicated on Sabbath evening, Nov. 23, of the same 
year. The sermon was preached by the pastor. 



* It is diflBcult to ascertain when stoves came into general use in churches. 
Franklin invented the stove which bears his nam^ in 1745. Count Rum- 
ford, who received in part his education in Bradford, made his improve- 
ment in stoves in 1795. 

In 1799, the 2d Parish of Boxford thought of putting a stove in the 
church but did not. In 1824, two stoves were set up. In 1824, the East 
Parish voted to put in a stove. His. Bosford, p. 263. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 21 



WOESHIP. 

Our forefatliers often assembled on the Sabbath at the 
beat of the drum, and sometimes at the sounding of a 
horn. The Magistrate escorted the minister from his 
house to the church, preceded him up the broad aisle 
to the pulpit stairs. When the minister entered, the 
people stood, and when the worship ended they stood 
again while the minister and his family retired. The 
hour of morning worship was 8 o'clock, sometimes nine. 
In front of the pulpit were seated the Ruling Eiders, 
and before them the Deacons, both facing the con- 
gregation. 

The people are seated by the selectmen. In the first 
church according to " rates," then with respect to the 
time of residence. In the second church, 1st, Those 
above 60 years, according to age. 2d, according to the 
rate of taxes. The men are on one side, and the wo- 
men on the other. The children are seated by them- 
selves, within reach of the tithing-men who touch the 
offenders with the rod if they are irreverent. The peo- 
ple are early to church. Any tardy members are treated 
as delinquents and fined. The church votes, in 172-^, 
" it is indecent and irreverent to lay down the head and 
sleep in the house of God." If an}- are guilty of this 
offence, the church is "■ stayed " that they may be " ad- 
monished before the whole church." 

The following votes show that the town took special 
action in some cases : It was " granted to Shubal 
Walker, Jan. 6, 1679, that he should have a place at 
the east end of the pulpit in the meeting-house, for a 
seate for his wife and children." March 18, 1711 : 
" Voted that the petitioners be allowed to make a seate 
pew-fashion in the hind part of the west gallery." 
''Voted that Goodman Spoffoid has liberty to sit in the 
fourth seate before tlie pulpit, and his wife to sit in the 



22 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

third seate in the north-east corner, the selectmen to 
give them notice." 

The worship begins with prayer, then follows singing 
of Psalms, given out by the Elder. No instruments 
were used. The sermons last an hour. The hour glass 
stands on the pulpit. When the sands are out the min- 
ister gives it another turn. Sermons with notes or from 
manuscript were at first unknown. 

Cotton Mather says, "Wareham, a melancholy man 
who could not always summon his powers was the first 
man who read his sermons." * The sermons in this 
pulpit, judging from the specimens which are preserved, 
were never very lengthy. When the sermon was over, 
the elders sometimes invited strangers or laymen to 
" exhort or prophecy," the elder announcing, " If this 
present brother hath any word of exhortation, in the 
name of God, let him say on." f 

There was no fire in the meeting-house, but alongside 
the little church which stood in the old cemetery lot the 
people erected at least one " nooning " house, with 
fireplaces, where, during the interval between morning 
and afternoon service, they warmed themselves and ate 
their lunch. The meeting-house in the early years had 
an armed watch during divine service. The church at 
Haverhill was stockaded. Smooth poles set in the 
ground, close together, forming a defence against the 
attacks of the savages. It is not probable that the Brad- 
ford church was so protected, but the guard was un- 
doubtedly set before the door with the old flint lock 
musket. 

All the people who had arms were required to bring 
them to church. It was customary sometimes to place 
a tower on the roof and set a watch there. The Puri- 

*Magnalia, B. iii, ch. 18. Wareham was pastor of the church at Dor- 
chester -which migrated (1636) in a body to Windsor, Conn. One hun- 
dred men, women and children travelled through the wilderness, praying 
and singing psalms as they went Sprague's Annals, v. i, p. 18. 

t Lechford. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 23 

tans were prejudiced against the formalities of English 
worship, so much so that they could not bear the reading 
of the word of God without exegesis. They called it 
"dumb reading." 

Worship was a necessity, not a matter of taste. Re- 
ligion in the Puritan idea, was an essential part of the 
commonwealth. Therefore attendance on worship was 
made obligatory. 

In 1G99, the town voted to assign the seats of the 
meeting-house to individuals, and if any refused to take 
the seat set to hinl, he should be fined five shillings for 
every day of assemblage. 

It was ordained by the General Court in the Massa- 
chusetts Colony, 1677, that the selectmen shall appoint 
tithing-men, each of whom shall have the inspection of 
ten families. These tithing-men are empowered as mag- 
istrates to arrest men who violated the sabbath. Vio- 
lators are to be put in a cage in Boston, and in such 
other towns as the court might designate, and to be 
exposed before the people on meeting-days and training- 
days. This statute was carried out in this parish. The 
tithing-men were appointed and their families were al- 
loted. It is not known that the cage was ever set up 
here. It is easy to sneer at the rigidity of the Puritan, 
and to praise the greater freedom of our later times. 
But it may well become us to inquire whether our lib- 
erty has not dropped into license^ and whether instead 
of the liberty of our fathers which was "glorious" in 
righteousness, their children have not a slavery to lust 
and sin. Our fathers believed in law. Obedience to it 
was virtue. 

We do well to remember that there is nothing more 
salutary than reverence to law. When the moral nature 
of man is found in conformity with the perfect law, 
there is safety to the state, freedom to the church, hope 
for the people. Danger comes when we cast off law ; 
the greatest peril when we cast off the Almighty, and 



24 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

do our own work, and find our own pleasure, and speak 
our oion words on that day which he has called his own. 
It is that spirit of disobedience to law which begets 
misrule, encourages violence, ends in the dethronement 
of justice and virtue. Then comes anarchy, in which 
statesmanship and patriotism and every noble impulse 
are subordinated to the dominion of selfish desire ; and 
the passions of men mingling Vv^ith distorted religious 
sentiments, and prejudices and superstitions, plunge into 
the chaotic vortex of rebellion. 

When the English monarchy trifled with the Puritan 
instincts, and changed the sabbath into a political pas- 
time, it was a suicidal policy, which destroyed the in- 
tegrity of the kingdom, and drove into exile the heart 
of the nation, those colonists who found the shores of 
the wild untrodden wilderness more attractive and con- 
genial, because there they found freedom to worship 
God. 

It is a serious question whether those civil revolutions, 
which have overturned monarchies and filled nations 
with bloodshed, have not some deeper root than tem- 
poral policy, and the ambitious use of power by tyrannical 
kings. Revolutions are something more than the natural 
recoil of human nature in resentment of injury. They 
are the bursting of ulcerous flesh in the body politic. 
It is the poison begotten in the nature which has cast 
off the divine law, and finds its own way and pleasure, 
and words on that day when it is meet to lift the heart 
and bend the knee to heaven's high king. The school- 
ing of the people on sabbath days in religion and de- 
votion and loyalty to God and the truth would render 
powerless the schemes of narrow policy and bigoted 
self-will, and save history the ungrateful task of record- 
ing those pitable sufferings of innocence in the hands of 
insatiate cruelty ; and of handing down to posterity such 
names as Laud and Jeffreys, for the execration of man- 
kind. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 25 

When Charles I. failed to take advantage of the strong 
Puritan sentiment and opposed it, he was cultivating 
the ulcer and destroying the sound flesh. When he de- 
spised the fear of God in christian congregations, com- 
pelled godly men to announce in pulpits sports which 
followed the worship, and trampled the conscience of 
his subjects, and made them listen to the raorris-drum 
and the street fiddler on the sabbath day, he was sow- 
ing to the wind, and he reaped the whirlwind in that 
day when he lost his kingdom and his life ; and his 
kingdom, trembling in mortal agony, only recovered 
its vigor, in its new birth, in the free commonAvealth 
which restored the sabbath and inculcated reverence for 
God. 

The Puritans on these shores set up the kingdom of 
God. The state was evolved slowly from the church. 
The General Court was a religious bod3^ The test of 
citizenship was godliness. Membership in a church was a 
prerequisite to citizenship. The state was the servant of 
the church. It was not strange then that the enact- 
ments of the General Court concerning crime were or- 
dained to be read from the pulpit. Sabbath laws were 
not peculiar to New England. They had been enacted 
in England. " It was so in Virginia before New Eng- 
land had an English inhabitant." 

" In 1610, every colonist in Virginia must attend 
church twice on the sabbath on pain, 1st, of losing theii 
provision for a week ; 2d, of losing provision and be 
whipped ; 3d, to suffer death." * It is well to remem- 
ber that while it is usually admitted that intelligence 
is a necessity to the safety of the state, there is a truth 
more fundamental, and that was what lay at the foun- 
dation of the sabbath laws, viz. : — The perpetuity/ of all 
civil institutions rests on the integrity of the people. 



• Force, His. Tr. Ill, (ii), 11. 



26 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 



ORGANIZATION OP THE GHUEOE. 

W& have reached another starting point in the life of 
the growing settlement. The question of having a church 
for themselves was discussed in the town. It came up 
in town meeting more than once. Committees were 
chosen to consider the matter and make report. But 
there were difficulties in the way which for a long time 
delayed further action. At a meeting of the town held 
Jan. ye 11, 1681, a committee was chosen " for to advise 
and consult and act what in their best judgment they 
shall think mete for ye good of ye town as to ye set- 
tling ye Rev. Mr. Zecheriah Symmes in office. Mr. 
Symmes, John Tenny, Richard Hall, John Siramonds, 
Joseph Baile, David Haseltine, Benjamin Kimball, Sam- 
uel Stickne, Samuel Haseltine, John Griffing, William 
Huchins, Shubal Walker." It was " voted, ye day 
above mentioned that ye committee, above named, or 
the major part of them, shall have full power in all 
things above mentioned or whatever els they may judge 
to conduce to ye settling Reverent Mr. Zech. Symmes 
in office ; for ye farther and better settling of the town 
and what they do is owned by ye town as if done by 
themselves." 

Mr. Symmes was already doing the full work of a 
pastor. At the same meeting he asks for co-operation 
in his pastoral work as the following vote shows : 

"Voted the same day, that Rev. Mr. Symmes have 
liberty, at his discretion, to call out any two men of 
the inhabitants of ye town to be with him in catechis- 
ing ye youth, and to go with him to see who of ye 
heads of families or others will join to ye church." At 
a private fast held at the house of Brother John Tenny, 
Oct. 12, 1682, an "instrument of pacification and mu- 
tual obligation to church union and oi'der" was drawn 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 2>J 

up and signed by the professing christians present. 

They call it a " preparatory help toward the gathering 

of a church in Bradford." The instrument was as fol- 

•lows : 

" We whose names are subscribed, being awfully sensible that we live 
in an age wherein God hath, in part, executed that dreadful threatening 
to take peace from the earth, and wherein Satan, that great makebate 
and author of confusion doth, by God's permission, exceedingly rage, 
even in the visible church of God, and wherein that wicked one is sowing 
the tares of discord, almost in every christian society, (the sad effects of 
which, we that are the inhabitants of the town of Bradford have for some 
years past experimentally felt and have yet the bitter remembrance of) 
we being now (through the rich and undeserved mercy of God in Christ 
Jesus) under hopeful probability of settling a Church of Christ in Brad- 
ford, do take this occasion, as to express our hearty and unfeigned sorrow 
and humiliation for what unchristian differences have broken out among us 
to the dishonor of God's name, the grief of his Spirit, and to the obstruct- 
ing of the work and kingdom of Jesus Christ, and to the hindering of our 
peace and edification ; so also in the name of God, and by his gracious help, 
seriously and solemnly to engage and promise, for the future, to forgive and 
forget, to the utmost of our endeavors, all former unchristian animosities, 
distances, alienations, differences and contests, private or more public, per- 
sonal or social, that have arisen ever among us, or between us and others ; 
to pass a general act of amnesty and oblivion on them all, and not to speak 
of them to the defamation of each other, at home in Bradford town, much 
less abroad in any other place ; nor to repeat or revive them, unless called 
by scripture rule, or lawful authority, to mention them for the conviction 
or spiritual advantage of each other. Besides, we promise through the 
grace of God, that, in case God, in his wise and holy providence, should 
permit any offences, for the future, to break forth among us (which we 
desire God of his infinite mercy would prevent as far as may be for his own 
glory and our own good) that we will then conscienciously endeavor to at- 
tend to scripture rules for the healing and removing of them, and those 
rules in particular. Lev. xix. 17, Matt, xviii. 15 ; and to bring no matter of 
greivances against each other to our minister or to the Church, but in a 
scriptural and orderly way and manner. That we may be helped inviola- 
bly to observe this our agreement, we desire the assistance of each other's 
mutual both christian and church watch, that we may be monitors or re- 
membrancers to each other of this branch of our covenant ; as also the in- 
stant and constant prayers of each other, that God would enable us care- 
fully to observe this instrument of our pacification and our conditional 
obligation to church union and order, that God's name may be honored by 
us and we may experience God's commanding his blessing upon us, even 
life forever more." 

It is impossible to know what the differences were 



28 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

which are so freely confessed in this " instrument of 
pacification." But the general desire is now evident to 
forgive and forget the past occasions of division and go 
forward to organize a church. 

This instrument was not signed by the women. They 
did not count women in organizations. When, in later 
years, the " Second Parish church" was formed, in what 
is now Groveland, they did not count the women, but 
received them into the church afterwards. Gov. Endi- 
cott insisted that women should be veiled in the house 
of God. But the ruddy cheeked Puritan girl would not 
be veiled. It was no time to re\T.ve old oriental super- 
stitions. 

I have no doubt they had the sacrament before the 
organization of the church, in their own meeting-house. 
There stands on the record a vote instructing certain per- 
sons "to provide the elements" previous to Dec. 27, 1682. 
They held communion, on the 21st Nov. preceding, and 
made record of it. This note is made in the records by 
pastor Symmes : " The text that sabbath handled was 
Jer. 50 : 4, 5. Vide ground thereon. Guest-house page 
83, 81." The text has this clause: " Come let us join 
ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall 
not be forgotten. The subject was doubtless the confes- 
sion of Christ in his church, by covenant and in the 
ordinances of the church, according to his gospel. What 
the guest-house may be, I am unable to learn. 

There was another administration of the supper in 
December of the same year, when the pastor preached 
from Acts 2 : 40 ; " Save yourselves from this untoward 
generation.^'' From which it appears to me that the little 
body of believers who had worshipped together for four- 
teen years had grown to be a church without knowing 
it. They had the organization but lacked the recog- 
nition. 

Possibly the elder Symmes ventured to administer by 
authority of the church. The church in Salem organ 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 29 

ized itself, ordained its own ministers. Gov. Bradford 
came after\yards with some others, from Plymouth by sea, 
hindered by cross winds, and gave the right hand of 
fellowship.* It is possible that the first ordinances 
were in the same way in Bradford. It is more probable 
to me, however, that the friend and pastor from over 
the river, the venerable John Ward, the long-time friend 
of the little colony, now nearly 80 years old, came over 
and ministered to them in loving and orderly fellowship. 

The relation of Bradford and Haverhill was from the 
first, as alwaj's, very intimate. The first years of the 
life of this little colony the only privilege of the sacra- 
ment was found over the river. The ferry was made 
free to Mr. Symmes, to go over to visit the people as 
he chose. It was made free to the people on the sab- 
bath if they should come over to worship. It was a 
pleasant picture on sacramental sabbaths, down under 
the willows, by the old ferry-way. The pastor (not yet 
ordained) came with his flock. They gathered rever- 
ently in the early morning. The ferryboats go and re- 
turn several times. They are going to the little church 
which stood on the lower side of Pentucket Cemetery, 
that they may keep holy day with the people of God. 

It is a fanc}* of the philosophers that sounds never 
cease. Tlie vibrations of the air grow less and less, but 
never stop. I have thought if our ears were sufficiently 
acute we might catch, from the breezes on the river, 
the faint echo of the Psalms they sung as they returned 
with devout and grateful hearts from the table of the Lord. 

The council, called to advise whether the}' form a 
church, met Oct. 31, 1682. It was a council of rare men. 
Their names were as follows : 

John Higginson, of Salem, pupil of Thomas Hooker, 
" whose very presence puts vice out of countenance, 
whjose conversation is a glimpse of heaven, "f a man of 

• New England Memorial, p. 96. 

t Higginson was son of Francis H , first teacher of Salem, born Aug. 5, 
1616. He wrote the " Attestation " to Mather's Magnalia. 



30 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

eloquence and venerable character, now in his 67th year. 

John Richardson, of Newbury, (then 36 years of age,) 
preached the Artillery Election sermon seven years be- 
fore, fellows of Harvard College. 

William Hubbard, of Ipswich, preached election ser- 
mon 1676. " For many years the most eminent minister 
of Essex County, equal to any in the province for 
learning and candor and superior to all his cotempora- 
ries as a writer." * 

John Hale, of Beverly. His amaible wife was a few 
years after accused of witchcraft, and that accusation 
against so fair a character broke the delusion. Preached 
election sermon 1684. He was possessed of a kind of 
" singular prudence and sagacity in searching into the 
marrows of things."! 

John Brock, of Reading, brother-in-law of Zechariah 
Symmes. " A man who dwelt as near heaven as any 
man on earth." $ 

Edward Payson, of Rowley. A poet, and a man of 
refined culture. His labors abundantly blessed in the 
mother church of Rowley. 

Samuel Phillips, senior pastor of Rowley. A man 
eminent for his wisdom in council, whose posterity have 
filled the highest civil positions and have given munifi- 
cent endowments to institutions of learning and benevo- 
lence. 

The absence of Mr. Ward of Haverhill may possibly 
be the key to the understanding of the reason why 
there was so much question about the propriety of 
forming the church. A large majority of these Brad- 
ford people are members of his church. It is pos- 
sible that he wished to have nothing to say about the 
matter. 

The result of the council which met to consider the 
propriety of forming a church is this: 

* Dr, Eliot. 

t Higginson. 

t Mitchell. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 3I 

"The question being proposed to us whose names are underwritten, 
whether minister and people should promote without delay a coalition of 
themselves into a church society. Weianswer in the affirmative, provided 
that the people do their uttermost in taking effectual care that he, that 
preaches the gospel, according to 1 Cor. 9, 14 ; that so he may provide for 
his own household, as 1 Tim. 5, 8 ; provided also their present teacher ac- 
cept of oflBce work among them, so long as he finds he can confortably dis- 
charge his duty, in all the relations he stands to you his people, and in his 
family, and that when he finds he cannot discharge his said duties respec- 
tively, the people shall freely release him of his engagement to them after 
due council taken in the case, for hereby is a door opened for the teacher 
to work the whole work of God, as an officer of Christ in that place, as 
others in office do in their places, according to 1 Cor. 16 : 10 ; ' for he 
worketh the work of God as T also do' ; hereby also is a better opportun- 
ity both for the teacher, and those that are taught, to walk in all the 
commandments and ordinances of God blameless, Luke 1 : 6 ; that they 
may be found walking in the truth as we have received commandment 
from the father, 2 John, 4." 

This council met Oct. 31, 1682. It was undoubtedly 
the same council which met on the 27th of the next 
December, to complete the organization and ordain the 
pastor. 

The action of the town is very significant. This is 
the vote : — 

" We, the inhabitants of Bradford, met together at a legal town meet- 
ing, 13th March, 1682 3, in thankfulness to God for his great mercy in 
setting up his sanctuary among us, do hereby engage ourselves jointly and 
singly, and do engage our children after us, as far as we may, by our pa- 
rental authority, to endeavor by our and their utmost power to uphold the 
faithful ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in this town of Bradford, 
so long as we and they shall live ; and for the encouragement of the same, 
to contribute a liberal and honorable maintainance towards it, as the rule 
of the gospel doth require to the utmost of our and their ability, which 
God shall be pleased to bless us and them with from time to time. And 
for the encouragement of our present minister, we do covenant and prom- 
ise to give and allow him, so long as he shall continue with us, as our 
minister, the full sum of sixty pounds per annum, if God be pleased to 
preserve us in our present capacity, and for to be paid in our present state 
annually, as follQWs : the first half in wheat and pork, butter and cheese, 
allowing to this half, one pound of butter for every milch cow, and one 
cheese for a family ; the other half to be in malt, Indian or rye, except 
what he willingly accepts in other pay ; the first payment to be made the 
second Thursday of October, the other payment to be made the third 
Thursday in March ; and 'if any unforeseen providence shall hinder, then 
to take the next convenient day the week following." 



32 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

" We further grant liberty for him to improve for his best advantage, 
what land we shall accomplish or obtain for our ministry. We grant him 
also, liberty to feed his herd of cattle on our lands during his abode with 
us, which shall have the same liberty as our own cattle have. We engage 
to procure for him, at our own charge, besides the annual stipend, suflB- 
cient firewood every year in good cord wood, he allowing six pence per 
cord, to bring it seasonably and cord it up in his yard. We engage also 
to furnish him yearly with ten sufficient loads of good hay, if he need 
them, at price current among us, and to bring it in the summer time, and 
also to supply him with sufficient fencing, and good stuff which he may 
hereafter need, at a reasonable lay. We engage, that there be convenient 
highways provided and legally stated to the several parcels of land which 
we have given him, as the five acres of meadow, and the forty acres of up- 
land, we bought of Benjamin Kimball. We do also engage that two men 
shall be chosen from year to year for the comfortable carrying on of his 
affairs, and that these two men shall have power to require any man at 
two days' warning, according to his proportion, to carry on his necessary 
husbandry work. We also engage that these agreements, together with 
any legal town act, confirming the annual stipend, and other concerns of 
our present minister, be only and truly, in manner and kind, as above 
specified without trouble to himself." 

Year after year the town appointed the two men to 
"look after Mr. Symmes's affairs." They voted that no 
oil-wood or poplar or bass-wood be brought to Mr. 
Symmes. The gifts of land to the minister included 
personal donations, as appears from the following vote 
which refers to what had been given six years before 
the formation of the church. It was " voted and granted 
by tKe town in 1676 that John Simmonds and Shubal 
Walker have full power to make and give a deed, or 
deeds, of conveyance to Mr. Zechariah Symmes our 
minister of forty acres of land the town bought of Ben- 
jamin Kimball, and one acre of meadow Mr. Samuel 
Worster gave to the town, and one acre Benjamin Kim- 
ball gave to the town, and two acres Thomas Hardy 
senior, and his two sons Thomas and John Hardy gave, 
and one acre that Nicolaus Wallingford gave to the 
town, and that in behalf of the town, as if they did 
actually do it themselves." The care which the town 
had for its Pastor was constant, ^nd every meeting 
showed that they were intent on doing every duty to 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 33 

him. Voted the same day of the meeting just quoted, 
" That those persons that was behind in making their 
share or proportion of fence that the town was en- 
gaged to make for Mr. Symmes, shall forthwith do it ; 
and if not done by the 15th of April next, then to be 
assessed 5 shillings for every pole, to be taken by dis- 
tress." 



AETIOLES OF FAITH. 

The first creed of the church was included in the cov- 
enant. It was written by Zechariah Sjanmes, and en- 
tered on record on the .20th of April, 1683, though it 
had been subscribed previously at the private fast, Oct. 
12, 1682. 

COVENANT. 

" By the power of his Holy Spirit in the ministry of his word, whereby 
we have been brought to see our misery by nature, our inability to help 
ourselves, and our need of a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we 
desire now solemnly to give up ourselves as to the only Redeemer, to keep 
us by his power unto salvation, and for the furtherance of that blessed 
work, we are now ready to enter into a solemn covenant with God and one 
with another ; that is to say, We do give up ourselves unto that God, 
whose name alone is Jehovah, as the only true and living God ; and unto 
the Lord Jesus Christ, his only Son, who is the Saviour, Prophet, Priest 
and King of his Church, and mediator of the covenant of his grace ; and 
to his Holy Spirit, to lead us into all truth, and to bring us unto salvation 
at the last. We do also give up our offspring unto God, in Christ Jesus ; 
avouching him to be our God and the God of our children ; humbly desiring 
him to bestow upon us that grace whereby both we and they may walk be- 
fore him as becomes his covenant people forever. We do also give up our- 
selves, one unto another, in the Lord, according to the will of God ; en- 
gaging ourselves to walk together as a right ordered Church of Christ in 
all the rules of his most holy words; promising, in brotherly covenant, 
faithfully to watch over one another's souls, and to submit ourselves to the 
government of Christ in his Church ; attending upon all his holy adminis- 
trations, according to the order of the gospel, so far as God hath, or may, 
reveal to us by his word and spirit." 

This covenant and creed include the fundamental doc- 
trines of the revelation of God: 



34 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

1. The being and sovereignty of God. 

2. The Divine authority of the scriptures. 

3. The Holy Trinity. 

4. The misery of the fallen nature in sin. 

5. The free gift of redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

6. The present acceptance of Christ the only hope of salvation. 

7. The fellowship of the saints and the holy administrations or sacra- 
ments. 

The persons who signed this covenant include some 
of the original settlers. The names of many of the 
children of the Puritans are found with them. Thirty- 
three years have passed since the herdsmen came into 
the wilderness. A new generation has appeared. 

One item is very touching in the record of names on 
that first roll of members in the church. Ann Hasel- 
tiiie stands alone ; Robert died this very year. The hardy 
herdsman has finished his course. He saw the church 
well started. He saw the spiritual flock gathered under 
another shepherd, and the faithful herdsman went home. 

The record of names is very instructive. It is very 
important history which is suggested by the member- 
ship of the Puritan church. The list of church mem- 
bers in the early years of the colony is identical with 
the roll of freemen. The entire roll of membership of 
the church is as follows: 



MEMBERSHIP. 

Many of the residents of the town who had been mem- 
bers of the church at Rowley united with the church in 
Haverhill. Others joined that church from time to time 
during the fourteen years of Mr. Symmes's ministry 
which preceded his ordination. It happened, therefore, 
that a large majority of the people who united with the 
church at its organization had been members of the 
Haverhill church. It was only for the sake of the sa- 
crament; they had all the other ordinanceti at home. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 



Why the delay occurred we 
roll of members is as follows 
Zechariah Symmes, 

The mark 

Samuel S Stickney, 

of 

John Tennie, 
John Simmons, 
William Huchence, 
Joseph Palmer, 

The mark 

Thomas West, 

of 

David Ilaseltine, 



cannot learn. The entire 
Richard Hall, 

The mark 

John (* Watson, 

of 

Samuel Ilaseltine, 
Robert Ilaseltine, 
Joseph Bailey, 
Abraham Haseltine, 
B. Kimbal, 
Robert gavory, 
John Hardy, 
John Boynton. 



The above are the names of the original members of 
the church. The roll continues as follows: 







1682. 








Patience, 


wife of Mr. Shubal Walker. Dis. 


from Haverhill 


Mary, 


(< 


Thomas West. 




<< 


Hannah, 


tt 


John Boynton, 




Rowley 


Mercie, 


n 


Benjamin Kimball, 




Haverhill 


Hannah, 


It 


Richard Barker, 








Mary, 


II 


Nathan Webster, 








Elisabeth 


11 


Robert Haseltine, 








Elizabeth 


11 


Abraham Haseltine, 








xMary, 


< 


Ifavid Haseltine, 








Martha, 


u 


Richard Hall, 








Deborah, 


11 


Samuel 'Haseltine, 








Mary, 


widow of 


Thomas Kemball, 








Mary, 


wife of 


John Hardie, 








Prudence 


> 


Samuel Stickney, 








Sarah, 


(t 


Joseph Palmer, 








Sarah, 


1 < 


William Hutchence, 








Abigail, 


II 


Joseph Bailey, 








Annah, 


widow 


to Robert Haseltine, Sen 


." 


Rowley 


Annah 


(( 


to Thomas Hodgden, 




Haverhill 


1682-3. Richard Bai 


ker, sonne-in-law to Bro. 


Benj 


amin Kim- 


bal, 


Husband to 


grand-daughter Hannah. 


Mathow Ford, 


a Frenchman 


that served his apprent 


iceshi 


p to 


Mr. 



(/ 



36 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Walker. Susanna, wife of Bro. John Tennie, dis. from 
ye church of Christ in Beverly. 

6 of 3, '83. Nathaniel son of John Gage. Samuel, son of Br. 
Thomas West. These two had their relations read. Han- 
nah or Annah, daughter to Caleb Kimball, of Ipswitch. 

6 of 10, '83. Richard, Eldest son of Br. Benjamin Kimbal, ad- 
mitted to full communion. 

3 of 11, '83. Sarah Wallingford, MarySavouri. Havingalet- 
ter from ye church at Newbury, they were admitted. 

10 of 1, '84. Nathaniel Brown. The man upon his relation 
admitted Judith Brown, His wife Dis. from Ipswitch, 

3 of 4, '85. Elizabeth Woorster, relict of Mr. Samuel Woors- 
ter. Dis. from Salisbury. William, Samuel, Francis and 
Joseph, four of her sons at the same time publickly re- 
ceived as children of the church. 

23 of 11, 1687. Wife of Br. Symonds. Samuel,, son of Br. 
John Tennie. 

3 of 1, 1688. Capt. Shubal Walker. Elizabeth Hutchens, 

wife of Br Wm. Hutchens. 

6 of 9, 1688. Sarah Hall, daughter of Br. Hall, admitted to 
full communion. 

21 of 11, 1689. Timothy Burbaak, admitted to full com- 
munion. 

Anno 1691. Persons accepted to commune at ye Lord's 
table : Richard Kimbal, eldest son of Thomas Kimbal, 
Sarah, wife of above said Richard. Francis, Third son of 
Mr, Samuel Wooster, 

26 of 2, 1691. Abiah, wife of Gershom Haseltine. Jane, 
wife of Samuel Buswel. Deborah, wife of Thomas Kim- 
ball. Jacob Hardy and Lydia his wife. 

4 of 8, 1691. Sarah Gage, wife of Daniel Gage, Sarah 

Tenny, wife of Br. Samuel Tenny. Elizabeth Carleton, 
wife of Edward Carleton. These five were admitted to 
the degree of full communion desired, Aug. 4, 1691. 

May 1, 1C92. Solomon and Mary Wood. 

17 of 5, 1692. Francis Jewett. Dis. from Rowley. 

30 of 8, 1692. John Spofford, by virtue of a letter of dis- 
mission from ye church of Rowley as a child of the 
church and inhabitant of the town, and by his own per- 
sonal relation at Bradford. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 37 

26 of 1, 1694. Mehitabel Kimbal, ye wife of Br. Richard 
Kimbal, Jr. by virtue of a letter dismissed from ye church 
of Christ at Ipswitch, aud her profession and good conver- 
sation was accepted to full communion with ye church at 
Bradford. 

4 of 9, 1694. Joseph Wooster was accepted. Mercy Hardy 

wife of Thomas Hardy, Sen. 

16 of 4, '95. Emma Watson, relict of John Watson, Sen. Sa- 
rah, wife of Br. Francis Jewit. 

21 of 12, 1696-7. Sarah daughter to Zech. S^mmes, Pastor to 
ye church, by a very unanimous vote of ye Brethren. 
Blesaed be God in Christ Jesus. 

1 of 6, 1697. David Kimbal, the man and his wife Elizabeth, 
upon the first of August, 1697. Ruth wife of John Watson 
the same day. 

5 of 7, 1697. Rebeckah, wife of Robert MuUeum. Susanna, 

wife of David Jaques. 

3 of 8, 1697. Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Carleton. 

21 of 6, 1698. Martha Hardy, wife of Br. John Hardy, dis. 
from Rowley. Mary, the wife of John West, upon her 
profession. Mary Buswell. 

4 of 4, '99. Thomas Kimbal, Robert Muleum, Ichabod Bointon. 

6 of 6, 1699. Philip Atwood, Jr., and Sarah his wife were 

accepted to full communion with the church on their 
letter of dismission from Maulden, 

'95 or '96. Mary Griffing was accepted to full communion. 

Mar. 31, 1700. Samuel aud Martha Hale were accepted to full 
communion. 

Jan. 5, 1701. Richard and his wife. Abigail Hale and one 
child. 

April 13, 1701. Daniel Gage, Sen. was upon his relation ad- 
mitted to full communion. 

April 29 John Chadwick and his wife and Bro, Nathaniel 
Gage were admitted by virtue of a letter of dismission 
from Maulden church, before the administration of the 
Lord's supper, without an/ vote by the brethren, they join- 
ing in the covenant with this church. 

24 of 5. John West, that hath waited from the 31 of 3d, '97 to 
this day. 4 years. Ye same day Dorothy Dalton, or rather 
Stiles when accepted. 



38 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

19 of 2, n02. Abraham and Martha Parker were by letter of 
dismission from Chelmsford church accepted. 

14 of 4, 1702. Eunice Bailey. 

2*1 of 3, 1703. Rebecka Walker and Rebecka Symmes were 
accepted to full communion. 

Anno 1704, 26 of Dec. John Gage and Sarah his wife. 

1703-4. Samuel Woodbury. 

4 of May, 1704. Moses Day and his wife Abigail. 

14 of May, 1704. Mary, wife of Joseph Hardy. Rebeckah 
Green, Abigail Renolds, baptized adults, admitted. 

11 of June, 1704. Deborah Walingford. Abigail Haseltine, 
wife of John Haseltine. 

16 of July, 1704. Anna Plaits daughter of Br. Bailey. 

3 of August. Her son Jonas Platts was baptised. 

18 of 12, 1705. Seven persons, viz. : John Wood and his wife, 
Jonathan Wiseman and his wife, Jonathan Kembal and his 
wife, Abigail Haseltine, ye wife of Richard Haseltine. 
Blessed be God These were accepted without ye noise 
of ye ax and hammer. 

23 of June, 1706 Anne Stickney and Jane Bointon admitted 
to full communion. 

3 of June, 1706. Mary Wooster and Martha Hardy, wife of 
Daniel Hardy. John Seavy, accepted into full commu- 
nion. Martha Hopkinson, the wife of Caleb Hopklnson, 
Jr., received into full communion. 

May 25, 1707. Sarah Worster, the wife of Joseph Wors- 
ter, received into full communion. 

July 6, 1707. Received into full communion Deliverance Wor- 
cester, the wife of Ebenezer Worcester. Baptized Isaac 
and Rebekah, the children of Jonathan and Lydia Kimball. 

July 27, 1707. Baptized Jonathan Platts ye son of Jonas and 
Anne Platts. 

April, 1709. Hannah, wife of James Bailey, Richard Bailey 
and his wife Johanna, James Bailey. Jacob Hardy and 
his wife Sarah, Eliezer Burbank and his wife Lydia, Caleb 
Hopkinson, Jr. 

Note by Second Pastor. There were admitted in my father's day, 72. There are now 
living of the church, in his day, 60. 

June 19, 1709. John Hall, Joseph Bailey, Jr., Mary Hall, 

wife of John Hall. 
April 14. Martha Gage, wife of Daniel Gage. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 39 

Oct. 23. James Palmer, Elizabeth, wife of James Palmer. 

Nov. 27, 1710. Samuel Runnels. 

Dec. 25. Abigail Haseltine, 

Feb. 19, 1710 Abigail Webster, Ednah Bailey. 

April 23. Abraham Parker, Jr. 

June 25. John Wood, Jr., Sarah Wood, wife of John Wood, 
Sarah Hall, wife of Joseph Hall. 

Aug, John Iluchens, Emma Haseltine, wife of Samuel Hasel- 
tine, Jr. 

Oct. 29. Elizabeth wife of John Huchens, 

April 22, 1711. Samuel Haseltine, Jr., Hannah wife of Na- 
thaniel GriflSn. 

May 6. Ebenezer Wooster. 

Aug. 26. Thomas Kimbal, Jr., Richard Kimbal, Jr., Abigail 
Hazeltine, Dorathy Kimbal, Mercy Tenny, Hannah Woos- 
ter. Soli Deo Triuni, sit omnis Gloria ! 

Jan. 6, 1712. Hepzibah Haseltine, Mehetabel Stickney. 

May 2. Mary West, Martha Hall. 

May 4. David Jaques was admitted to full communion. 

July 20. John Gage, Jr., Susannah wife of John Gage, Jr. 

Aug. 17. Samuel Kimbal, Eunice Kimbal, Martha Simons 
were admitted to full communion. 

Sept. 7. Samuel Palmer, Elizabeth Palmer were admitted to 
full communion. 

Nov. 1. Elizabeth West was admitted to full communion. 

Mar. 8, 1713. Anna Brown was admitted to full communion. 

July 12. Old Thomas Hardy, Benjamin Hardy, Mary Nelson, 
Rebecka Hardy, Elizabeth Boynton, Sarah Tenny, Abigail 
Carleton. Soli Deo Triuni Gloria! 

Nov. I. Daniel Tenny, Joshua Wood, Priscilla wife of Dan- 
iel Tenny, were admitted to full communion. Tibi Dom- 
ine, sit omnis gloria ! 

Feb. 28. John Nelson, Samuel Webster and Mary Webster 
his wife. 

Mar. 2. Hannah Barnes, Sarah Bailey, Elizabeth West. 

May 9. Samuel Kimbal, Jr., Sarah Kimbal, his wife. Laus 
Deo! 

Sept. 19. Thomas Hardy, Jr., Rose Hardy, his wife. Deo sit 
gloria ! 

1715. Moses Brown, Abigail Gage. 



40 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Aug. 28. Daniel Parker, David Wood, Anne Parker, Eliza- 
beth Wood, Dorcas Wood. Laus Deo, in JSternum! 

Nov. 13. Mrs. Hannah Symmes. Tibi Domine Gloria 1 

Feb. 12. Jabos Dorman. 

1716. Anne Tenny, Martha Lezon, Mary Pearl. Laus Deo 
in Sternum ! 

July 1. Hannah, wife of Dea. Tenny, Jr., being dismissed 
from ye church in Newbury, was admitted to full com- 
munion. 

Jan. 3. Mr. William White, Mrs. Sarah White, Sarah Head. 
Deo sit Gloria! 

Mar. 10. Mr. Joseph Emerson, Richard Haseltine, Eldad 
Ingals, Anne Pecker. Laus Deo! 

Mar. 17. Mary Sticknee, widow Susanna Kimbal. Gloria 
Deo in Excelsis! 

Abril 7. Samuel Haseltine, Hannah Richardson, Elizabeth 
Griffon. Gloria Ghristo ! 

May 26. Jonas Platts, Joseph Hall, Isaac Hardy, Mary 
Tiler, Abiel Dorman. Triuni Deo esto omnis Gloria! 

July 7. Edward Wood and wife, Thomas Sticknee, Mary, 
wife of Thomas Sticknee, Elizabeth, wife of Abraham 
Parker, Mary, wife of Richard Kimbal. Gloria Deo! 

Aug. 9. James Buswell, Sarah Page. ,Laus Deo ! 

Samuel Roberts, and Abigail his wife, Nathaniel John- 
son, Jr., and Mehitabel his wife. Deo sit Gloria! 

Jan. 19, 1718. John Kimbal, Mary Perry, Rachel Frye. 
Laus Doinino ! 

April 20. Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Bailey. 

May 4 Jemima, daughter of Cornelius Brown, 

May 23. Joseph Richardson, Benjamin Kimbal, Samuel 
Jewet, Benjamin Mulecken. Tibi Domine! 

May 23. Thomas Carleton, Jonathan Kimbal, Nathaniel 
Kimbal, Ruth, wife of David Kimbal, Hannah Hovey, 
Anne Jewet. Deo sit omnis Gloria! 

July 6. Joseph Tenny, Mary Haseltine. Deo sit omnis 
Gloria ! 

July 13. Eliezar Crocker. 

Aug. 3. Lydia, wife of Benjamin Savory, Hannah Blodget, 
Abigail, daughter of James Bailey. Soli Deo Gloria! 

Sept. 7. Abigail, daughter of John Wood. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF. BRADFORD. 4I 

Mar. 1719, John Mulicken, and Mary his wife, Francis 
Wooster, Margaret Kimbal. 

June 7. John Griffen, Benjamin Thurston, Joseph Carleton, 
Jr., Hannah Carleton, Judith Brown. 

July 5. Josiah Sessions and Martha his wife, Caleb Brown. 
Soli Deo Gloria I 

July 26. Samuel Eames, Sarah Kimball. Triuni Deo Gloria! 

Sept. 6. Nathaniel Worster. Deo omnis Gloria! 

Nov. 22. Hepzibah Hardy, wife of Zech. Hardy, Lydia, 
daughter of Jonathan and Lydia Kimbal. Deo Gloria! 

Jan. 24, 1720. Mary, wife of Benjamin Thurston. 

Feb. 28. Epraim Kimball, Sarah, wife of Dr. John Bishop, 
Ruth, wife of Samuel Jewet, Bethia Carleton, Dorothy 
Tenny. Deo Gloria ! 

April 24. Joseph Hardy, Jr., Thomas Baily, William 
Hardy, Jr., Timothy Wooster, Samuel Tenny, Hannah, 
wife of William Hardy, Elizabeth, wife of Robert Sa- 
vory, Sarah, wife of William Fales, Hannah, wife of 
John Tenny. Non mihi sed, iibi Domine Jesu! 

April 24. Sarah, wife of Samuel Tenny, Jr., Susanna, wife 
of Aaron Brown, Abigail, daughter of Clerk Kimball, 
Dorcas Hovey, Priscilla, daughter of Clerk Kimball, 
Elizabeth Atwood, Abigail Wooster. Sixteen admitted 
this day. Deo Gloria 1 

May 1. Nathan Webster, John Tenny, Elisabeth Sticknee, Re- 
beckah Mullicken, Rachel Philbrook. Ti'iuni Deo Gloria! 

June 26. Nathaniel Walker, Daniel Hardy, Daniel Gage, 
Samuel Hardy, Ebenezer Burbank, Robert Mullicken, 
Robert Savory, Thomas Hardy, Joseph Hardy, Samuel 
Kimbal, Benjamin Gage, Thomas Savory, Daniel Tenny, 
Joseph Kimball, David Kimball, Jr., Hannah, wife of 
William Savory, Mehitabel Hall, Hannah, wife of Eben- 
ezer Kimbal, Abigail Stewart, Susan Gage, Hannah Sa- 
vory, Love Hutchins, Martha Hardy, Eunice Hardy, 
Hannah Bailey. All these twenty-live admitted the same 
day. To God shall be all ye glory! 

July 26. Ebenezer Kimbal 

July 31, 1721. Benjamin Savory, Benjamin Kimbal, Pru- 
dence Hardy, Elizabeth Gage, daughter of John Gage, 
Sarah and Abigail, daughters of John West. 



42 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. . 

Aug. 28. James, son of Joseph Ilardy, Hannah, wife of 
Samuel Hardy, Esther Parry, Mary, daughter of ye 
widow Hardy. 

Dec. 18. Mary, wife of Edmund Chadwick. 

Aug. 1721. John Pearl. 

Mar. 18, 1722. William Martin. Laus Deo! 

May 6. Mary Bailey, daughter of Thomas Bailey. 

Aug. 5. Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Carleton. 

1723. Jacob Hardy, Jr., Elizabeth, wife of William Mar- 
tin, Mary, wife of Timothy Hagget, Hannah, daughter 
of Samuel Hardy. Laus Deo! 

Apr. 21. John Peabody, and Sarah his wife. Triuni Deo 
Gloria sempiferna ! 
Two hundred and thirty- four communed with us June 11, 

1723. 

June 2. Hannah, wife of Jonathan Chadwick. 

June 30. George Carleton, Daniel Wooster, Sarah Hardy, 
daughter of William Hardy, Jane Baily, daughter of 
Thomas and Eunice Baily. Laus Deo! 

July 28. Richard Hardy, 44 years old, Hannah, wife of 
Hugh Smith, Sarah, wife of Ebenczer Burbank, Deborah, 
wife of Thomas Hardy. Laus Triuni Deo! 

Sept. 1. Rebcckah, wife of Robert Savory, Mehitabel, daugh- 
ter of widow Hannah Green. 

Dec. 29. Maximilian Haseltine, Moses Wooster. Laus Deo ! 
Martha, wife of Maximilian Haseltine. 

1724. Daniel Jaques, Jr., Obadiah Parry, Jr., Samuel Hale, 
Jr., Hannah, wife of Daniel Jaques, Jr., Mehitabel, wife 
of Obadiah Parry, Jr. 

Mar. 1. Benjamin Carleton, Elizabeth Symmes. Gloria Tri- 
uni Deo ! 

Dec. 6. Jonathan Hale, son of Samuel Hale. Deo Gloria! 
Elizabeth, wife of Caleb Brown. Thirty admitted this 
year. 

Feb 7. John Cole, Edmund Hardy, Thomas Hardy, Mary 
Hale, daughter of Samuel Hale, Alice Perly. 

April 4. Elizabeth Webster. 

Aug. 1. Rebeckah, daughter of John and Mary West. 

Sept. 4, 1726. Timothy Hardy, son of Joseph Hardy, Abial, 
wife of Joseph Kimbal. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 43 

Sept. 25. Martha Pindar. 

Oct 30. Joseph, son of James Bayly. 

1727, Feb. 25. Abigail, daughter of Ichabod Boynton. Be- 
thia, daughter of John West. 

May 7. Sarah, daughter of Nathan Webster. 

July 28. Nathaniel Fales. 

Sept. 3. Luke novey, Elizabeth Hovey, second daughter 
of Luke Hovey. 

Sept. 24. Mary, wife of John Fisk. 

Nov. 6. Sarah, wife of John Jaques, John Jaques, Eliza- 
beth Spofford, daughter of Samuel Spofford, Ilepzibah 
Hardy, daughter of widow Hardy, Mehitabel Middleton, 
daughter of William MiMdleton. 

Dec. 24. These taken in in the forenoon : Sarah Willis, 
Lydia Gage, daughter of Daniel, Dorcas Kimbal, daugh- 
ter of Thomas Kimbal, Jr., Mehitabel Steward, daughter 
of James Steward. Mary Wilson, daughter of Joseph 
Wilson. 

Dec. 24. James Wilson and Martha his wife, Nathaniel 
Walker, son of ye widow, Amos Foster, Ebenezcr Sher- 
win. These 5 taken in in ye afternoon. 

Dec. 31. Esther Ivimbal, wife of Ephraim Kimbal, Elizabeth 
wife of John Parker, Solomon Steward, Martha his wife, 
John Carleton, son of Thomas Carleton, Isaac Kimbal, 
son of Jonathan Kimbal, Elizabeth Carleton, Abigail 
Carleton, daughters of ye widow, Abigail Carleton, wife 
of Nathaniel Carleton, Mary Green, daughter of John 
Green, John Fisk, Elizabeth Green, daughter of ye wid- 
ow, Nehemiah Carleton, Elizabeth, his wife, Jonathan 
Cole. These 15 taken in together. 

Anno 1728. Ebenezcr Gage, son of John, Moses Gage, son 
of Daniel, Zechariah Boynton and Mary, his wile. 

The additions made to ye church about this time from Dec. 24, 
&c , were occasioned by the terrible earthquake which 
began Oct. 29, 1727, at about 1-2 an hour after 10 at 
night. 

Jan. 14. David Walker, son of ye widow, Moses Day, 
son of Moses, Richard Haseltino, son of Lieut., Stephen 
Woodman, Nathaniel Carleton, Epliraim Haseltine, 
Thomas Haseltine, sous of Lieut., Jonathan Sherwin. 



/ 



44 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Feb. 18. John Day, son of Deacon Day, Mary Webster, 

daughter of Nathan, Ilepzibah Sherwin, wife of Eben- 

ezer, Sarah Barnes, daughter of Mrs. Turner, Jeremiah 

Stickney, Samuel Runnels, son of Samuel, John Gage, 

son of John Gage, Joseph Mullicken 
Mar. 3. Sarah Carleton, Mary Lurvey, daughter of widow, 

Mary Hovey, wife of John. 
April T. Stephen Huse, school master, Mary Haseltine. 
May 5. Jemima Gage, daughter of Daniel, Lydia Webster, 

daaghter of Nathan, Mercy Kimbal, daughter of Samuel, 

Ruth Haseltine, daughter of Deacon. 
June 2. nanna,h, wife of Ephraim Peabody. 
July 2 Joseph, son of Luke Ilovey. 
Aug. 4. Thomas Turner, Aaron Carleton. 
Sept 22. Hannah GriflSn, daughter of John. 
Oct. 6. Ezekiel Wilson and Ruth his wife, Sarah Boswell, 

wife of Daniel. 
Nov. 3. Joseph, son of Sergt. Hall. 
39 admitted this year. 
May 4, 1729. Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Emerson, Sarah 

daughter of Daniel Gage. 
June 1. Abigail, daughter of ye widow Day. 
Aug. 3. Stephen Runnels, son of Samuel. 
June 7, 1730. Elizabeth, daughter of David Wood. 
Oct. 4. Abraham Day, son of ye widow. 
Nov. 29. Gersham Haseltine. 

Jan. 17, 1731. Sarah Simmonds, daughter of Rebecka Miller. 
May 2. Nathan Eams and Mnvy his wife, Jeremiah Earns, 

Mehitabel Eams, their children, baptized the same time.' 

Priscilla Kimball a, wife of Benjamin, Elizabeth Carleton, 

wife of Ebenezer. 
July 4. Mehitabel Hazeltine. daughter of Deacon. 
Aug. 1. Mehitabel, wife of Nathaniel Gage. 
Feb 6, 1732. Daniel Wood. 
March 5. Sarah, wife of Daniel Wood, Elizabeth Tyler, 

wife of Job. 
June 25. Dorothy Kimbal, wife of Nathaniel. 
July 2. Sarah, wife of Stephen Woodman, Susannah Mid- 

dleton, daughter of William, Sarah Runnels, daughter 

of Samuel. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 45 

April 1, 1733. Jeremiah Kimbal, Cesar, servant of Ephraim 
Kirabal. 

Nov. 4. Sarah, wife of John Mullicken. 

Mar. 3, 1134. Rachel, daughter of Ichabod Boynton, Eliza- 
beth, wife of Benjamin Carleton. 

May 26. Sarah, wife of John Hall, Jr. 

June 3. Mehitabel, daughter of Jonathan Kimbal. 

July Y. Judith daughter of John Ilall. 

July 28. Rachel Frie, daughter of widow Haseltine. 

Aug. 4. Thomas, servant of Jonathan Kimbal. 

Sept. 1. David Haseltine, son of Deacon Haseltine. 

Oct. 20. Stephen Meril and his wife. 

Nov. n, Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Kimbal. 

Jan. 5, 1735. Abigail Hardy, daughter of Prudence Daniel- 
son. 

Feb. 9. Frances, wife of Joseph Parsons. 

Feb. 23. Mehitabel, daughter of Nathaniel GriflSn, Naomi, 
daughter of Daniel Gage. 

June 8. Stephen Kimbal. 

July 6. Timothy Haggit, Jr. 

Sept. 7 Mary, daughter of Samuel Webster. 

Nov, 2. David, son of deacon Hall, Esther, daughter of Dan- 
iel Gage. 

Mar. 21, 1736. John Brook. 

May 2. Martha Marsh. 

July 4. Abigail Haseltine, daughter of Lieut., Elizabeth 
Haseltine, daughter of Nathaniel, Mary Hoit. 

Oct. 3. Thomas Gage and Phebe, his wife, Abraham Gage, 
son of John Gage, Jr., Job Runnels, son of Samuel, 
Elizabeth Sesions. 

Dec. 5, John Hall, Jr., Samuel Webster, Jr. since minister 
in Salisbury, Mary Stewart, daughter of Edward. 

Nov. 6, 1737. John Haseltine, son of Lieut., Amos Hasel- 
tine, son of Thomas Kimbal, Esq. 

Dec. 4. Mary Kimbal, daughter of Nathaniel. 

Mar. 5, 1738. Love Sleeper. 

July 2. Mary, wife of Abraham Day. 

Dec. 17. Sarah, daughter of dea. Jonathan Woodman. 

Dec. 31. Nathaniel Haseltine and Sarah his wife. 

July 8, 1739. Aaron Kimbal. 



4^ MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Nov. 2, 1740. David, son of David Wood, Mary, daughter 
of David Wood. 

Jan, 7, 1741. Abigail, wife of Ralph Hall. 

Jan. 14. Samuel Mulliken and Sarah his wife. 

Aug. 30. Joseph Kimbal, son of Robert, and Sarah his wife, 
Elizabeth, daughter of John Green, Elizabeth, wife of 
Maximilian Haseltine. 

Oct. 18. Henry Sargent, Dorothy Kimbal, daughter of 
Ephraim. 

Oct. 25. John Baily. 

Nov. 22. Jonathan Woodman, son of Deacon, Mary his wife. 

Nor. 29. William Earman. 

Dec. 20. Elizabeth, daughter of Ichabod Boynton. 

Jan. 3, 1742. Caleb Hall, son of John, Mary Crummy, Peg, 
servant of Thomas Carleton. 

Jan. 24. Abigail, daughter of Robert Kimbal. 

May 7. Ephraim Kimbal, Ebenezer Webster, Amos Hasel- 
tine, Nathaniel MuUicken. 

Mar. 28. Susanna Gage, daughter of John Gage, Jr 

May 2. Thomas Kimbal, Jr., Elizabeth, wife of Jeremiah 
Kimbal, Ruth, wife of Thomas Kimbal, Jr., Abigail, 
daughter of Daniel Gage. 

June 5, 1743. John Haggit. 

Sept. 3. Phinehas Kimbal. 

Nov. 6. Nathan Kimbal. 

Feb. 26, 1744. John Boynton, son of Zechariah. 

Mar. 11. Martha, daughter of David Wood. 

April 8. Joseph Goodhue. 

May 6. Sarah, wife of John Haggit. 

Aug. 5. Scisco, servant of Deacon Carleton. 

Mar. 2, 1746. Aaron Gage. 

April 6. Jonathan Kimbal, Jr , son of Samuel. 

Aug. 3. Mr. Cotton Brown, son of ye Rev. John Brown. 

Nov. 2. Elizabeth Fales, daughter of ye widow. 

Dec. 14. David Thurston and Hannah his wife. 

Mar. 1, 1747. Sarah, daughter of Dea. Hall. 

Mar., 1748. Mary, daughter of Dea. Woodman. 

April 3. Sarah, wife of Ebenezer Webster, Hannah, daugh- 
ter of Samuel Kimbal. 

May 15. Atwood Fales. 



MEMORIAI. HISTORV OF BRADFORD. 47 

May 29. Phebe, daughter of Samuel Kimbal. 

Dec, 4. Samuel Woodman, and Mary his wife, Hannah, 
wife of Samuel Runnils. 

June 25, 1749. Phebe, wife of Isaac West, Mary, daughter 
of Zechriah Bointon. 

July 2. Abigail Carleton. 

1750. None. 

Feb. 17, 1751. Benjamin Gage, Jr. 

May 5. John Kimbal, Obadiah Hall. 

May 12. Prudence, wife of Aaron Carleton. 

June 2. Sarah, daughter of Nehemiah Carleton. 

June 9. Lydia, daughter of Nathaniel Kimbal. 

Sept. 22. Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel Kimbal. 

Dec. 22 Mary, wife of Ebenezer Kimbal. 

1752, None. 

Jan. 28, 1753. Samuel Trask. 

Feb. 25. Richard Kimbal, son of Lieut. 

Mar 25. Dudley Carleton, and Abigail his wife. 

April 15. Edmund Kimbal, John Head, and Mehitabel his 
wife. 

Sept. 2. Joshua Wood and Elizabeth his wife. 

Nov. 25. Eunice, wife of Richard Kimbal. 

April, 1754. Ezra Miric. 

Feb. 17. Abigail, daughter of John Day. 

April 21. Daniel Buzzil. 

May 26. Joseph Marble. 

Oct. 27. Frances Parsons. 

Mar. 30, 1755. Rebeckah, daughter of Nathaniel Kimbal. 

April 4. Mary Chadwick, widow of James. 

July 20. Joseph Kimbal, Jr. and Abigail his wife. 

Sept. 7. James Haseltine. 

Sept. 21. Ebenezer Griffln. 

Dec. 7. Sarah, daughter of Samuel Webster, Mary, daugh- 
ter of Dea. Walker. 

Dec. 21. Nathaniel GriiSn, Rebeckah, wife of James Hasel- 
tine, Priscilla, wife of Ebenezer GriflSn, Sarah Buzzil, 
Rebeckah Skipmore, Sarah Day, Abigail Carleton, daugh- 
ter of Benjamin, Sarah, daughter of Lieut. David Hasel- 
tine, Hannah Blazdill, Rebeckah, daughter of Isaac Kim- 
bal. 



48 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Dec. 28. Thomas Webster and Sarah his wife. 

Jan. 4, 1756. Sarah, wife of Ezra Anuise, Mary Kimbal, 
daughter of David Kate. 

Jan. li. Abigail, daughter of Job Runnils. 

Jan. 25. Martha Merril. 

Feb. 1. Mchotabel, daughter of John Day. 

Feb. 22. Abigail, daughter of Capt. Mulliken. 

Mar 7. Sarah, daughter of Gage. 

Mar. 21. Sarah Wood. 

April 4. Judith, daughter of David Hall. 

June 6. Jacob Wyman, Jonathan Chadwick, Sarah, wife of 
Robert Haseltine. 

Nov. 7. Moses Day and Hannah his wife. 

April 3, 1757. Samuel Chadwick. 

Aug. 6, 1758. Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel Kimbal. 

Nov. 5. Nathaniel Gage, Jr. and Dorothy his wife. - 

July 1, 1769. Mehetabel English. 

April 6, 1760. John Kimbal son of Benjamin. 

Dec. 28. Thomas Carleton, Jr. and Molly his wife. 

Aug. 23, 1761. John Phillips and Elizabeth his wife. 

Nov. 8. David Chadwick, who lived not to come to ye sac- 
rament. 

July 4, 1762. Jonathan Kimbal, son of Nathaniel. 

April 3, 1763. Benjamin Walker. 

May 8. Ruben Carleton. 

June 26. Joseph Mulliken and Elizabeth his wife. 

Sept. 4. James Carleton and his wife. 

Nov. 6. Judith, wife of Daniel Thurston. 

Mar. 1, 1764. Abraham Kimbal and Judith his wife. 

Aug. 19. Phinehas Carleton, and his wife. 

Oct. 7. Daniel Jaques and Sarah his wife. 

Feb. 10, 1765. Abraham Day, Jr. 

281 admitted by the Rev. Mr. Parsons. 

Feb. 9, 1766. John Day and Deborah his wife. 

June 29. Susanna, wife of Nathan Kimbal. 

July 6. Hannah, daughter of Nathaniel Kimbal. 

Aug 17. Richard G.ige and Annali his wife, Isaac Kimbal 
and Betty his wife, Anna Buzzil. 

Sept 7. Nathaniel Kimbal and Mary his wife. 

Oct. 5. Samuel Lakeman and Margaret his wife. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 49 

Oct 19. Abel Kimbal and Mary his wife. 
Nov. 2. Benjamin Muzzy. 

Feb 22, 1767. Samuel, son of Nathaniel Kimbal. 

Mar. 15. Mary, daughter of Abraham Day. 

Aug. 16. Abigail, wife of William Easman. 

Sept. 20. Sarah, daughter of Thomas Cross. 

Dec. 6. John West. 

Mar. 27, 1768. Mary Greely. 

June 12. Phineas Gate, and Abiah his wife, 

Sept. 4. Thomas Barnard, school-master. 

Mar. 12, 1769. Thomas Cross, Jr., and Lucy his wife. 

June 11. Amos Mullicken, and his wife. 

Feb. 25, 1770. Aaron Carleton, and Mehitabel his wife. 

Mar. 25. Daniel Kimball, Jr , and Elisabeth his wife. 

Sept. 30. Moses Kimball, and Anna his wife. 

May 5, 1771. Benjamin Thurston. 

Feb. 23, 1772. Richard Walker, and Mary his wife. 

June 28. Timothy Kimball, and his wife, Mary Web- 
ster. 

Oct. 18. Mary Haseltine. 

Nov. 1. Phineas Webster. 

Nov. 22. wife of James Lindell, widow Sarah 

Carleton. 

May 23, 1773. Shubal Tenney, and Martha his wife. 

Sept. 5. Jacob Kimbal, and Sarah his wife. 

Nov. 7. Mary, wife of Abijah Spofford. 

Mar. 6, 1774. Ephraim Chandler, and Johanna his wife. 

Nov. 20. John Runnels, and Sarah his wife. 

Nov. 27. John Griffin, and Eunice his wife. 

Mar. 12, 1775. Peter Gage, and Mary his wife. 

Mar. 26. Joseph Day, and Priscilla his wife. 

Oct. 1. Hannah Bailey. 

Oct. 15. Sarah Walker. 

1776. None. 

Mar. 2, 1777. Sarah, wife of James Lindall. 

Apr. 27. Dorcas Hagget. 

June 1. Daniel Barker. 

Whole number admitted by Mr. Williams, 65. 

Note. No admissions follow the above for about ten years; probably on account of the 
Revolutionary War. 



50 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

ADMITTED TO COMMUNION BY ME, J, ALLEN. 

1787. Sarah Day, wife of Nicolas Buswell. 

Sept. 1788. James Kimball, and Sarah his wife, Joseph 

Chadwick, and Mary his wife. 
1791. Theodore Cross, Mary Carleton, John Marble, Caleb 

Ford. 
Sept 6, 1794. Mary Carleton, widow of William Carleton. 

1796. Esther Hagget, wife of Moses Ilagget. 

1797. Martha Tenny, Mary Kimbal and Jane Kimbal, Bay- 
ley Day and his wife. 

May 20. Ezra Buck, and Hannah his wife. 

Sept. 10. Benjamin Walker, and Sarah his wife. 

Oct, 8. John Day, Jr. 

Apr. 1, 1798. Richard Kimbal and Nathaniel Kimbal. 

July 30. Moses Webster, and Susanna his wife. 

Nov. Mehetabel, wife of David Carleton. 

July 26, 1799. Mary Carleton, wife of Bezaleel Carleton. 

1802. David Kimbal, Jr. 

Oct. Abel Kimbal, and Abigail his wife. 

1804. David T Kimbal. 

June, 1806. Joanna Day. 

Aug. 11. John Ilaseltine, and Rebecca his wffe, Edward 
Kimball and his wife, Eunice, wife of Eliot Payson, 
Sarah, wife of Asa Kimball, Betsey, wife of Ezra Trask, 
Betsey, wife of N'athan Kimball. 

Sept. Mary Ilaseltine, Nancy Haseltine and Rebecca Fitz. 

1807. Moses Ilall, and Elisabeth his wife, wife of 

Lieut. Tenny, Jr., Rebecca and Abigail Carleton Ilas- 
eltine. 

Sept. 13. Sarah Marble, Betsy Allen and Lydia Kimball. 

Oct. 10 Mary Gage, Hannah Gage and Betsey Gage. 

Mar. 11, 1810. Hannah Carleton. 

Apr. 11. Sophia Kimball and Sarah Chadwick. 

1811. Rebecca Kimbal!, wife of Edmund Kimball, and Ruth 
Davis, wife of Daniel. 

Oct. 1812. Amos Perley, Hannah Tenny. 

Nov. 15. Samuel Stiles, and Mary his wife, and the wife 
of Samuel Webster, Betsey Kimball, Rebecca Kimball, 
James Kimball and Mehitabel Carleton 

1813. Charlott Gage and Martha Cobern. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 5 1 

1814. Samuel Kimball and his wife. 

Jan. Alm'ah Hall and Mary Tenuy, 

Nov. 12, 1815. David Tenny, Jesse Kimball, William Kim- 
ball. 

1818. Esther Richardson and George Kimball. 

Nov. Eunice Tuttle. - 

June 13, 1819. Nancy Hall, Betsey Hall, Sarah Kimball, 
and Elizabeth Kimball. 

Dec. 1, 1824. Rev. Ira Ingraham was admitted a member 
of this church. 

85 admitted by Mr. Allen. 

NoTB. The above closes the list of members in the old book, and the following continues 
the same in the new book now in use. 

Mar. 1825. Isaac Morse, Lydia Morse, Mary B. Harris, 
Deborah W. Ingraham, wife of Rev. I. Ingraham. 

Aug. 12. Lucy Allen. 

Nov. 10. Nancy Johnson, wife of Frederick Johnson. 

Apr.- 8, 1826. Rev. Isaac Jones, Nancy Jones. 

Apr. 16. Sarah Tenney, wife of Leonard. 

Jan. 1, 1827. Elizatte Hale. 

May 6. Harriet Kimball, wife of Eliphalet, 

June 16. Leonard Johnson, Myra Johnson, wife of Leonard. 

July 8. D. Chadwick Kimball, Louisa Kimball, wife of Chad- 
wick, Capt. Jonathan Chadwick, Eunice Chadwick, wife 
of Capt. Jonathan, Caroline Allen, Laura A. Heath, wife 
of Charles Kelley. 

July 8. Elbridge Little, Charles Kitridge, Adaline Tenney, 
wife of Leonard, Jane R. Hovey, Sarah Carleton, Louisa 
Carleton, wife of Doyle, Sarah L. Payson, Elvira Kim- 
ball, wife of Joshua Day, Emily Kimball, wife of John 
Day, Sophia Gage, wife of Col. J. Parker, Adaline John- 
son, wife of John Tuttle, Lucretia Greenleaf, wife of 
Benjamin, Rebecca Kimball, Sophronia Peabody, wife of 
E. Little, Mary Ann Allen, wife of Osborn, Horatio 
Harris, Samuel Tenney, Isaac Hovey, Capt. Rufus Kim- 
ball. 

Sept. 2. John G. Buswell, Mrs. Mary H. Richardson, wife 
of James Richardson, Charlotte J. Ordway, Lydia Carle- 
ton, wife of Nathaniel, Mrs. Mary Carleton, wife of 
Isaac, Eliphalet Kimball, Dr. Enoch Cross, Ann Trask, 



52 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Mrs. Deborah Ilovey, widow, Mary Phillips, wife of 
John Kimball, Mrs. Hannah Chadwick, wife of Samuel 
Chadwick, Mrs. Abigail Thurston, wife of Daniel, Mrs. 
Sarah Carleton, Mrs. Sophia Day, widow, Eliza Peabody, 
wife of Allen, Mary Trask. 

Nov. 4. Mrs. Martha Ordway, Elery Dale, Deborah R Day, 
wife of B. P. Chadwick, William Day, Jr., Mrs. Rhoda 
Day, wife of William, Jacob Kimball, Mary P. Chad' 
wick, Mrs. Almira Carleton, wife J. P. Carleton, Ben- 
jamin P. Chadwick. 

April 19, 1828. Aaron Henry, Miriam Henry. 

June 14. Betsey Kimball, wife of George. 

Aug. 1, Mrs. Abigail Kimball, wife of Dea. Jesse. 

Sept. 5. Mrs. Susanna Simonds, widow. 

Jan. 4, 1829. Moses E. French. 

Mar. 1. Emily Spofiford, wife of Wm. Hall. 

July 3. Benjamin Hale, Ann Hale. 

Jan, 3, 1830. James French. 

Feb. 19, 1831. Lydia S. Hoadley, wife of Rev. L. I. 

Mar. 6. John Kimball. 

June 3. Sally Williams, widow, Lavinia Carleton, wife of 
of Carey. 

Sept. 4. Tryphena Pike, widow, Elizabeth P. Marble, wife of 
John M., Esther Simpson, widow. 

Nov. 3. Nancy Day, wife of William, Betsey Smith Spof- 
ford, wife of Moody, Nathaniel Carleton, Carey Carle- 
ton, Lucy Kimball, wife of Poor, Caroline Carleton, wife 
of Joshua, Eliza Ann Hovey, Doct. George Cogswell, 
Abigail P. Cogswell, Nathaniel Thurston Kimball, Har- 
riet G. Kimball, Joshua Holt, Rebecca Holt, Mary G. 
Holt, .wife of Joseph. 

Jan. 1, 1832. Benjamin Greenleaf, James Bartlett, Mehita- 
ble Bartlett, wife of James B., John R. Buswell, Har- 
riet H. Buswell, Frederick Johnson, Daniel Kimball, 
George H, Griffin, James Kimball, Nathan Holt, James 
Otis Buswell, Elizabeth B. Peabody, wife of John, Sam- 
uel Jenkins, Mary Peabody, wife of Nathaniel, Char- 
lotte Harris, wife of Wm. Allen, Priscilla Hopkinson, 
wife of Wm. N. Kimball, Caroline Kimball, wife of Jew- 
ell, Chailotte C, Tenny, wife of Daniel Kimball, Maria 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 53 

Whittier, Harriet H. Webster, D. T. Kimball, Elizabeth 
Hale, Priscilla Carleton, wife of Hubbard, Haniiali L. 
Little, wife of William Tenny, Olinda Hovey, Hannah 
Dale, widow, Isaac Carleton. 

Mar. J. Mary Jane Day, Emeline Whittier, Sarah W. But- 
rick, wife of William, Mary J, Pike, Charles Buswcli, 

No. 4. John Parker. 

May 3, 1833. Mary A. Searle, wife of Rev. M. C, Eleanor 
Jenkins, wife of Samuel. 

Aug. 16. Nancy Newell, widow Elizabeth Newell. 

June 22. John Morse. 

Oct. 18. Betsey Whittier. 

Feb. 15, 1831. Alfred Kittredge, Mary Kittredge. 

Aug. 9. Chloe Haseltine. 

July 11. William Eaton, Lncinda Eaton, Ann M. Eaton, 
Henry Hills, Harriet Hills, Elizabeth A. Kimball, wife 
of Charles. 

May 1, 1836. William Hall. 

June 3. William Cummings. 

Aug. 26. Daniel Fitts, Nancy Fitts, Sophia Day, wife of 
Charles Tenney. 

Sept. 4. Humphrey Hoyt, Alice B. Hoyt, Sophronia Griffin, 
wife of Johnson. 

Nov. 4. Harriet Heath. 

Dec. 23. Laura A. Willet, wife of Lewis, Elizabeth Mont- 
gomery, wife of Geo. K. 

Sept. 1, 1837. Sarah T. Page. 

Nov. 4. Warren Ordway, Caroline Ordway. 

Dec. 29. Mary J. Munroe, wife of Rev. Nathan. 

Mar. 4, 1838. William N. Kimball, Louisa Hopkinson, wife 
of Wm. N. Kimball, Sally George, Hannah Heath. 

Mar. 30. Dolly Peabody, wife of Leonard. 

Apr 20. Elizabeth 1. Kimball, wife of Albert. 

May 6. William F. Johnson, Zelinday Pay son, Roxanna 
Peabody. 

July 1. Nehemiah Carleton, J. P. Carleton, Joseph Hall, 
John P. Montgomery, Hannah Montgomery, George K. 
Montgomery, Philip Kimball, Sophia Kimball, William 
H. Kimball, Albert Kimball, David Kimball, S. C. Saw- 
yer, Aaron P. Heath, Mrs. Charlott H Carr, Elizabeth 



54 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Carr, George Johnson, Leonard Tenny, George Fitts, 
Sarah A. Pike, Harriet N. Morse, Mary T. Tenny, wife 
of A. Heath, Lucretia H. Kimball, wife of Rev. S. C. 
Kendall, Ann M. Johnson, Cyrena Wheeler, wife of 
Emerson, Nancy J. Haseltine, wife of Sanborn. 

Aug. 31. Betsey Kimball, wife of Asa, Martha Kittredge, 
widow, Phebe Davis, wife of Barzilla, Emma E. Hodg- 
kins, wife of Geo. Johnson, Timothy Eaton, 

Sept. 2, 1838. Nathaniel Gage, Hannah Gage, Priscilla Gage, 
John Marble, Mary Marble, Kimball Farrar, Almira 
Farrar, Nancy Carleton, wife of George, Charlotte Holt, 
wife of Joshua, Sarah Smith, Maria Kimball, Lydia Hale, 
wife of William, Gilbert Kimball, William Butrick. 

Jan. 6, 1839. Moody Spoflford, Martha A. Watson, Charles 
Tenney. 

May 3. Abel Chase, Mrs. Chase. 

Aug. 9. Rebecca Emerson. 

Aug. 27. Lucinda J. Kimball, wife of D. Fitts. 

Nov. 3. John Emerson. 

June 21, 1840. Sarah Sawyer, widow. 

Aug. Sophia S. Day, wife of Charles Tenney. 

Sept. 6. Amos Gage, Warren Gage, George Gage, Leverett 
Kimball, Luther Johnson, Alpheus Trask, William El- 
liot, Ireen Elliott, wife of William, Sarah A. Johnson, 
wife of William F., Mary Pearson, wife of Joseph, Mary 
Day, wife of C. E. Webster. 

Nov. 1. Abigail Bohonan, wife of Geo. Brown, 

Jan. 3, 1841. Julia Sessions, Francis C. Dodge, Margaret 
L. Jackson, 

Mar, 5. Nancy Emerson. 

June 10, 1841. Lucy Lovejoy, Berlinda Lovejoy. 

Nov. 5. Anna M Hall, wife of Joseph. 

Dec. 31. Ellen Emerson, Ann E. Kimball, wife of James. 

Mar. 6, 1842. John G. Russell. 

Sept. 4. Sarah Silsby, Emeline Silsby. 

Nov, 4. Elisabeth Peabody, wife of John. 

Mar. 5, 1848. Elisabeth Cate, wife of Rev, E. A. Barrows, 
Marcia D. Kimball, Isabella G. Kimball, 

Apr, 14. Charlotte Webster, wife of Leonard. 

May 7. Hannah P. Silsby, wife of George. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 5$ 

June 30. Martha Webber, Elisabeth Heath, wife of A P. 

Sept. 2. John 11. Lovejoy, Sally Lovejo3^ Lucelia T. Mun- 
roe, wife of Rev. Nathan, Fanny R. Cheever, wife of 
Henry, 

Dec. 22. Caroline Gage, wife of Warren. 

Jan. 1, 1844. George E. Silsby. 

May 5. Nathaniel T. Kimball, Harriet G. Kimball, Susan 
Smith, 

July 5. John Benson, Lucy A. Benson. 

Feb. 26, 1846. Nabby Carleton, widow. 

Apr. 30, 1847. Daniel B. Kimball, Charlotte Kimball. 

July 2. Catharine Brown, wife of Addison. 

July 30. Laura A. Willett, wife of Lewis. 

Sept. 3 Maria M. Watson, wife of John. 

Sept. 26. Simeon Atwood, Mary H. Atwood. 

Nov. 7. Charles E. Johnson, Angelina R. Day, Eliza W. 
Day, Elisabeth P. Day, Mary E Blair, Lucelia J. Kim- 
ball, Marietta Kimball, Abby H. Johnson, Eunice F. 
Lunt, M. Sophia Kimball, Julia A. Richardson, Sarah 
S. Carleton, wife of R. H. Emerson, Sarah S. Knowles, 
Susan F. Smith, Betsey P. Greenleaf, wife of Rev. S. C. 
Kendell, Louisa Kimball, Laura A. Willett, wife of J. 
Gale, Eliza A. Roger. 

Jan. 2, 1818. Berlinda Lunt, wife of Dr. Smith. 

June 29, 1849. Henry Hill, Abigail 0. Hill. 

Sept. 9. J. n. Strickland, Charlotte Strickland. 

Nov. 2. Sarah Holt, wife of Joshua. 

Feb. 28, 1850. Mary L. Kimball, wife of Leverett. 

Mar. 3. John P. Montgomery, Hannah Montgomery, 

Nov. 1. Joseph P. Junkins, Sarah A. Junkins. 

Nov. 3. Priscilla Johnson, Juliett Kimball. 

Jan. 15, 1851 Harriet Pike, wife of Stephen. 

Mar. 2. Ann E. Watson, Caroline E. Morse. 

July 6. Thomas H. Lovejoy, Ellen M. Kimball, Sarah M. 
Ordway, Mary A. Parker. 

Mar. 28, 1852. Maria Atwood. 

Apr. 21. George Johnson. 

Dec. 21. Ann Ordway, wixie of Nathaniel Ordway, Susan 
J. Bodell. 

Jan. 2, 1853. Thomas J. Carleton. 



56 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Mar. 6. Eliza Spofford, wife of Moses. 

May 1. Sophronia Carleton. 

July 1. Luther Johnson Mary F. Johnson. 

Feb. 24, 1854. Mary F. Page, wife of Joseph, 

May 5. Rev. J. T. McCollom, Mrs. E. 11. McCollom, Car- 
oline E Jewell. 

May 7. Sarah E. Dexter, wife of Locke, Lydia K. Green- 
leaf. 

Jan. 7, 1855. Laburton Johnson, Caroline E. Johnson, 

May 3. Andrew Ellis, Deborah Ellis, Joseph F, Kimball, 
Lucinda Kimball, Phineas A. Carleton, Ilenry Phillips, 
Almira Bradstreet, wife of Justin E., Lois A, Sawyer, 
wife of B, G, Perry. 

July 1, Hiram Day, Sophronia A. Day, Harriet E, Jewell, 
wife of W, W. Phillips, Charlotte P, Kimball, wife of 
Nichols, Mary 0, Locke, Charlotte E. Allen, Abby G. 
Hoyt, wife of S, L, B. Speare, Julia C, Johnson, Ellen 
M. Freeman. 

July 30. Mary A. Morse, 

Oct. 16. Jane Lang, wife of Francis, Emily J, Lang, 
Amanda L. Hyatt, Benjamin Webster, Ann A, Webster, 

Nov, 4. Ann Mitchell, Sarah Magoon. 

May 4, 1856 Cynthia Whipple. 

Dec. 19. S. L. B. Speare. 

Jan. 4, 1857. Hannah M. Carleton, wife of George. 

Mar. 1. Almira Hobbs. 

Apr. 16. Julia A. Parker. 

May 3. Anna J. Kimball. 

Sept. 12, 1857. Walter Goodell, Sally Goodell, Nathaniel 
Hatch, C. P. Hatch, Horatio Pearl, William Nowell, 
Elisabeth Nowell, Lucy B. Nowell, Harvey M. Towle, 
Chastina Towle. 

Jan. 3, 1«58. Rebecca P. Heath, wife of Enos, Elisabeth 
H, Hall, Emily S. HaU. 

Feb. 19. Ransom F. Tubbs. 

Mar. 6. Francis E. Holt, Lydia Tyler. 

July 4, 1858. Ellen M. Chadwick, wife of D. F. Towne, 
Mary E. Chadwick, wife of Henry Phillips, Caroline C. 
Day, wife of W. L. Gage. 

Sept, 5. William Hilton, Ann M. Hilton, Abigail C. Jen- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 57 

kins, wife of S. Warren, Caroline F. Ordway, wife of 
W. Everett, Samuel D. Moody, Matilda T. Morrison, 
wife of Elliott, Alice M. Curtis, Thomas W. Ilascltiue, 
Joseph Page, Charles W. Carleton, William W. Phillips, 
Nowell P. Sawyer, S. Willard Carleton, Susan 0. Da- 
vis, William E Whipple, Edward P. Webster, Sarah J. 
Kimball, Albert L. Kimball, Henry T. Elliott, William 
L. Gage, Jacob Gale, Edward F. Brigdon, Hannah E. 
Brigdon. 

Oct. 22. Mary A. Kimball, wife of Raymond, Maria S. El- 
lis, wife of John A 

Nov. 7. Frances A. Blaisdell, wife of Richard W., Nancy 
Haseltine, wife of Thomas W.,'Mary F. Ordway, wife 
of E. Carter, Friscilla Kimball, Arabella Kimball. 

Dec. 17. Mary L C. Elliott, wife of Henry T., Frederick 
G. Nason, Abigail P. Nason 

Dec. 31 William K. Vail, Julia T. Vail. 

Jan. 2. 1859. George S. Collins. 

May 1. Edward G. Hanson, Adaline Kent. 

July 10. Isaac Lawrence. 

Aug. 18. Mary A. Holt, wife of Joshua. 

Aug. 25. Mary K. Poor, wife of Moses, Adelaide G. Tenny, 
wife of Justin E. 

Sept. 4. Sarah J. Chadwick. 

Nov. 6. Rebecca E. Haseltine. 

Mar. 4, 1860. Carlos R. Sargent, Lucetta A. Sargent, Mary 
C. How. 

May 3. Ann M. Munroe, wife of Rev. Nathan, Lois S. S. 
Kimball. 

May 6. Kate S. Carter, wife of J. Corson. 

Aug. 30. Serena J. Campbell, wife of Rev. G. W. 

Nov. 1. 1861. Abbie A. Ordway, wife of G. W., Isabella 
L. Kimball, wife of A. L. 

Dec. 12. Lucy M. Goodell. 

May 4, 1862. Sarah P. Cogswell, Emeline L. Johnson, wife 
of J. H. Cumraings, 

Feb, 26, 1863. Julia A. Gage. 

Mar. 1. A. Walter Kimball. 

May 3. Mary Isabella Kimball. 

July 3. Mrs. Abbie West. 



58 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

July 5. Francis Lang, Harlon P, Waldo, Isaac Goodell, 
Herbert W. Brigden, Thomas C. McCollom, Emma A. 
A. Shute. 

Sept. 6. William K. Farrar, Josephine M. Farrar, Samuel 
W. Johnson, Levina Johnson, Nicolas D. Sawyer, Mary 
W. Sawyer, wife of Richard, Catharine L. Poor, Mary 
E. Hopkinson, wife of S. W., Eliza Goodwin, Mary 
Lovejoy, wife of George, Mary L. Pemberton, wife of 
Edwin, Mary P. Whittier, wife of Daniel, Mary E. Sav- 
age, Mary D. Carleton, Emma A. Kimball, Louise J. 
Libbey, Emma G. Whipple, Ellen I. Gage, Mary K. 
Gage, Mary F. Sawyer, Rebecca M. Kimball, Mary F. 
Dexter. 

Nov. 1. Charles Kimball, Eugene W. Day, Sarah F. Ten- 
ney. 

Mar. 6, 1864. Mary J. Munroe, Sarah S. Munroe, Emma 
L, Davis, Lucy E. Lovejoy, wife of D. Roberts, Nellie 
L Cambell, Ida M. Carleton. 

April 29. Julia A. S. Welch. • 

May 1. George. E. Lovejoy. 

July 3. Nathan B. Tilton, Betsey H. Tilton, Benjamin F. 
Darling, Abigail M. Darling, William EL. Page. 

Sept. 4. Mrs. Lafayette Day, Anstice M. Carleton, wife of 
Nathaniel. 

Mar. 5, 1865. Mary E. Peabodj^, wife of Calvin, Rebecca 
W. Hobsou, wife of John H. 

Oct. 23, Sarah Day, wife of Gage. 

Jan. 5, 1866. Mary A. Brooks. 

Jan. 7. Josephine Sawyer, wife of Edward, Emma L. But- 
rick, wife of William H. 

Feb. 1. Rev. J. D. Kingsbury, Charlotte M. Kingsbury. 

Feb. 15. Lucretia 0. Webster, wife of Edward P. 

Mar. 4, Elizabeth M. Sanborn, Ilattie S. Evans. 

Apr. 26. Lucy A. Peabody, Fannie Cogswell, wife of Dr. 
William. 

Sept. 2. Louise K. Hopkinson. 

Oct. 18. Mary K. Poor, wife of Moses Poor. 

Nov. 4, Susan McLeod Dexter. 

Dec. 20. Alvan Lewis, Abbie Lewis. 

Jan. 6, 1867. Ellen B. Sanborn, Mary M. Smith. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 59 

Mar. 3. Julia A. Goodell, Fannie S. Hall. 

Apr. 11. Ann M. Jenkins, wife of Albert H. 

May 2. Harrison E. ChaJwick, B. G. Perry. 

May 5. Dr. William Cogswell, Hellen A. Amazeen, John 
B. Tewkesbury, Emily A. Tewkesbury, Harriet Elliott, 
widow, Rebecca G. Hodgkins, wife of Alexander S. 

May 5, 1867. Elizabeth Le. B. Kimball, widow. 

June 21. Charles M. Kimball, Amelia Walton, widow, Theo- 
dore Reynolds, John A Day, Lizzie Day. 

July 7. Lorenzo Waldo, Martha J. Waldo, George T. Brown, 
Annie W. Brown, George W. Hewes, Ruthetta Hewes, 
Henry P. Morse, Mary T. Morse, B. L. Pearsons, Mary 
E. Page, Harriet E. Thornton, wife of William, Sarah 
E. Farrar, wife of J. B., Mary Knight, wife of Albert 
H., Emily A. Silsby. 

Sept. 8. Cornelius Kaler, Sarepta E. Kaler, Martha K. Saw- 
yer, wife of Samuel C, Isabella L. Swasey, wife of 
Hazen, Caroline D. Cogswell, Annie M. Pearl, Sarah K 
Poor, wife of Jenkins, Anna S. Hatch, Mary E. John- 
son, Henry L. Davis, Edwin C. Kimball. 

Nov. 3. Doane Cogswell, William E. Morse, Frank H. Ty- 
ler, Daniel F. Goi-man, Stafford D. Webster, 

Jan, 6, 1868, Angelina Peabody, wife of Charles, Ednah A, 
Morse, wife of Henry, 

Mar, 1. Sarah E. Poor, Arthur H. Hall, Abby F, Lovejoy, 
wife of Thomas H. 

May 1. Eliza D. Tucker, Ellen E. Chadwick, Stephen J, 
Carleton. 

May 1, 1869. Charles H. Morse, Edith A. Page, wife of 
Wm. H,, Lucius H, Morse, John F. Hall, Milton B. 
Day, Henry L. Baker, E. F. Frothingham, Lefie M. 
Gage, wife of Estees, Fayette F. Charles, Austin 'G. 
Lewis, Mary A. Kimball, Franklin G. Phillips, Alice A. 
Kimball, wife of E. W. Day, Lydia M. Perry, Sophia A. 
Tappan, Jane C. Peabody, Hattie Hills. 

July 4, 1869. George F. Bradstreet, George M. Brown, As- 
tell Gage, Julia A, Spofford, Mary E. Webster, Harriet 
A, Campbell, Sylvia F. Ellis, wife of Cyrus, Eunice 
Kimball. 

Nov, 7. Daniel N, Poor, Jr., Samuel B. Perry. 



6o MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Dec, 30. George L. Kelley, Kate M. Kelley. 

Mar. 6, 1870. Lois A. Thurlow, wife of H. P. Waldo. 

April 21. Dea. Curtis Lawrence, Harriet Lawrence. 

May 1. Julia M. Kimball, wife of Edmund, Sarah D. El- 
liot, wife of Edwin G. 

May 4, 1871. Lucretia H. Kendall. 

May 7. Ada B. Shannon. 

July 2. Charles Kneeland, Lucy M. Kneeland, Charles E. 
Weutworth. 

Nov. 5. Nettie A. Peabody, Abby F. Eaton. 

July 7, 1872. Charles G. Johnson, Herbert L. Gale, Hattie 
F. Atwood, Maggie E. Hilton, Mary F. Hatch. 

July 18. John Corson. 

Sept. 8. Mary E. Phillips, Helena A. Phillips, Elizabeth L. 
Handy, Alice M. Johnson, Marilla L. Peabody, Mary 

A. Eaton. 

Nov. 3. Josephine F. Lang, wife of Charles. 

Jan. 2, 1873. Cleora A. Veasey, wife of George, Ann Thomp- 
son, Williams R. Adams, Marion Adams, Ann Camp- 
bell. 

June 19. Abraham Holmes, Susan B. Holmes. 

July 6. Grace H. Kimball. 

May 3, 1874. Ella G. Sawyer, Carrie C. Sawyer. 

July 12. Charles T. Richards, Sarah E. Merrill, Mary E. 
Merrill, Martha L. Perry. 

Dec. 24. Orestes West, Mary A. West, Enoch Butler, Mary 

B. Butler, Emma Butler. 

Nov. 5, 1875. E. A. Lawrence, Susan C. Lawrence. 

Nov. 7. Salome B. Ordway, wife of Walter. 

Jan. 2, 1876. Annie L. Hopkinson, Annie F. Burnham. 

Mar. 6. John F. Merrill, Anna 0. Merrrill, Anna P. John- 
son, Stella Blaisdell, Lillie F. Burnliam, Alice C. Burn- 
ham, Florence A. Williams, Lizzie C. Merrill, wife of 
John F., Sallie B. Holmes, George K. Nealley, Jane 
Neally, Henrietta Dresser, wife of George W., Ella H. 
Hoyt, wife ol E. H. Hoyt. 

April 20. Gardner G. Kimball. 

May 6. L. A. Drury, Frances A. Drury, B. F. Leavett, 
Eliza D. Ladd. 

May 7. Catharine A. Hatch, Mary J. Kimball, Elvira H. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 6l 

Page, wife of William H., Harriet E. Kimball, wife of 
Gardner G,, Julia W. Williams, wife of Harrison, H 
Parker Williams, Edward F. Hatch, Mary L. Walton, 
Jessie Town, Ellen H. Perry, Carrie A. Peabody, George 
F. Neally, Frank S. Gage, Willard C. Tyler, Martha P. 
Holmes, wife of Samuel, Elizabeth W. Brown, wife of 
John T., Jane W. Libby, EmHy A. Lewis, Elvina E. Day, 
Moses S. Sawyer, Ada E. Sawyer, Henrietta P. Morse, 
wife of George F., Mabel D. Morse, Juliette K, Blake, 
Clara L. Gale, Lizzie W. Gale, D. F. Town, George D. 
Veasey, Harris C. Pearson, Fred. C. Kneoland. 

June 9. Charles Williams, H. J. Williams. 

July 2. Frank H. Kimball, Mary A. C. Kimball, William Thorn- 
ton, John T. Brown, Everett W, Poor, John A. Ellis, 
Hattie J. Ellis, Martha F. Kimball, wife of William E., 
Caroline Kimball, Ida F, Bailey, Sophia E. Kimball, Ju- 
lia G. Bradstreet, wife of George F., Lucy A. Chad- 
wick, wife of Harrison E., Charles Kimball, Mary J. 
Kimball. 

Nov. 2. Annie E, Johnson, Elizabeth G. Webster, Mary E, 
Webster. 

Jan. 7, 1877. M. Louise Pearson. 

July 1. Maud V. A. Neally, Cynthia F. Day, Nellie G. 
Day, Bertha A, Wilson, EfBe M. Parker, Charles A. 
Ellis, Katy Kingsbury, Mattie Kingsbury, Mary F. Hop- 
kinson, Catherine A. Kimball, Eleanor H. Kimball, A. 
H. Atwood, Dolly A. Atwood. 

Nov, 4. John H. Richardson, Lydia Ellen Richardson. 

Jan. 3, 1878. Mrs. Mary E. Anderson. 

Oct. 31. Mrs. Elizabeth F. Smart, widow. 

Nov. 3. Mrs. Ann Fi'ye, widow. 

July 3, 1879. Mrs. Sarah Sargent, widow, Mrs. Lydia M. 
Wells, widow, Rose G. Clarke, wife of Huse G. 

Jan, 3, 1880. Laura M. Driver, wife of Samuel. 

Jan. 4. John Batchelder. 

July 4. Samuel Driver. 

May 1, 1881. Clara M. Chadwick, Mary E. Phillips, Annie 
F. Johnson, Annie W. Ripley, Minnie L. Stone, Isabel 
D. Kelley. 

July 3. Mary Perry, Julia Kimball. 



62 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Nov. 6. Ilelen M. Hall, wife of Arthur H. 
Dec. 1. Christina Duncan, widow, Christina Duncan. 
Mar. 2, 1882. Mrs. J. A. Truesdal. 

May T. Mrs. Charles Poor, wife of Charles 11., Charles H. 
Poor, Caroline S. Wentworth. 

THE EXPANDED OEEED. 

The creed and covenant remained unchanged until 
the time of Allen, who was accustomed to write new 
covenants, as special acts of consecration. Two such 
are recorded. The more definite creed statement, as it 
stands to-day, was prepared by Mr. Ingraham. It is 
nearly identical with the creed statement which was 
adopted by churches at that time and a little later. 
Some verbal changes were made by Mr. Hoadly. The 
creed and covenant are as follows : 

ARTICLES OF FAITH. 

1. There is one only living and true God, the Creator, Preserver and 
Governor of the Universe ; a being self-existent, independent and un- 
changeable; infinite in power, wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness and 
truth. 

2. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were written by 
holy men as they were moved by the Iloly Ghost, and are an infallible rule 
of faith and practice. 

3. God exists as revealed in the Scriptures, in three persons, the Father, 
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one God, the same in 
substance, equal in power and glory. 

4. God made all things for himself, and governs them according to the 
counselof his own will ; the principles and administration of his govern- 
ment being perfectly holy, just and good. 

5. The first human pair were made upright, and constituted the general 
representatives of the whole human family ; but they sinned against God 
by eating of the forbidden fruit, and in consequence of their apostacy aH 
their descendants are alienated from God and opposed to his law, till re- 
newed by the Holy Spirit. 

6. In sovereign love, not willing that any should perish, God hath from 
before the foundation of the world, chosen some unto salvation, through 
sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth. 

7. The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, who being God as well 
asman, has made atonement for sin, in view of which pardon is freely of- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 63 

feredto all, and God can be just and the justifier of him that believeth in 
Jesus ; yet such, notwithstanding, is the obstinacy of the heart in sin, that 
none ever do accept or believe, but such as are made willing in the day of 
his power, by the grace of hia Holy Spirit 

8. Repentance toward God and faith toward out Lord Jesus Christ is 
the immediate duty of every sinner : and they who are effectually called 
by the Holy Spirit, and made willing to accept of salvation, will be pre- 
served to God's eternal kingdom of glory in heaven. 

9. Under the christian dispensation, the ordinances of the church are 
Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Believers and their households are pro- 
per subjects for baptism, and all who are truly penitent and believing in 
Christ are proper candidates for the Lord's Supper, 

10. There will be a general resurrection both of the just and of the un- 
just, and a day of judgment in which the Lord Jesus Christ will award to 
every accountable creature according to his deeds : The wicked will go 
away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. 

THE COVENANT. 

In the presence of God, angels and men, you do now solemnly avouch 
the Lord Jehovah, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to be your 
God, the object of your supreme love and your portion forever. You cor- 
dially acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ in all his mediatorial offices, as 
Prophet, Priest and King, to be your only Saviour ; and the Holy Ghost 
to be your only sanctifier, comforter and guide. You humbly and cheer- 
fully devote yourself to God in the everlasting covenant of his grace, con- 
secrating all your powers and faculties, with all that you possess, to his 
service; promising through the assistance of his Spirit, that you will give 
diligerit attendance on his word and ordinances, seek the honor and inter- 
est of his kingdom, and, henceforth, denying all ungodliness and every 
worldly lust, live soberly, righteously and godly in the world. 

Moreover, you devote not only yourself, but also all those in relation to 
whom God has constituted you, or may constitute you, the guardian ; cove- 
nanting to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and 
thus to instruct them in the duties and privilege of the christian religion 
as Implied in baptism ; bearing them on your heart in prayer, and plead- 
ing for them God's remembrance of his covenant, "To be a God to thee 
and thy seed after thee." 

You also cordially join yourself to this church, as a true church of 
Christ, engaging to submit to its government and discipline, to strive earn- 
estly for its purity, peace and enlargement, and to walk with its members 
in charity, faithfulness and circumspection. 

We, then, the members of this Church, receive you affectionately to our 
communion, promising you our prayers, our christian sympathy and our 
love ; engaging on our part also to walk with you in all becoming watch- 
fulness, kindness and fidelity ; hoping that you and we shall become more 
and more conformed to the example of our divine Master, till we come a*, 
last to the perfection of holiness in the kingdom of his glory. Amen. 



64 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

The doctrine of the church has never been corrupted. 
While there has never been what Dr. Fiske calls an 
"ultra, angular, pugnacious orthodoxy," the church has 
held steadily on its way, maintaining the faith of the 
fathers according to the word of God. 



THE H ALP-WAY OOVElfANT. 

In common with other churches, the half-way covenant 
was in use by this people. The purpose of it was to give 
the privilege of baptism to children of parents who did 
not think themselves fit to partake of the sacrament. 
The form of that covenant is not on our records. But 
this is the form as it stood in the mother church : 

"I take God the Father to be my chiefest good and highest end. 

" I take God, the Son, to be my only Lord and Saviour. 

" I take God the Holy Spirit to be my sanctifier, Teacher, Guide and 
Lawgiver. 

"I take the people God to be my people in all conditions. 

'' I likewise devote and dedicate unto the Lord my whole self, all. I am, 
all 1 have, and all I can do 

"And all this I do deliberately, firmly ^ sincerely and forever. 

It is easy to see that this is not, in reality, a half- 
way covenant. It is probable that most of those who 
subscribed to it were sincere christians ; some may have 
been moved by selfish motives. There was a great 
temptation. Citizenship depended on church member- 
ship. Qualification for office depended on character and 
membershi[). It is to be remembered also, that baptism 
was thought to be essential; not a little superstition 
mingled with the thought. Parents who had no church 
membership deprived their children of the prerogatives 
of the church and shut them out from the family of 
God. The attention of the people was called to this 
necessity of baptism by Mr. Symmes in his sermons ; 
special meetings were held to consider the fact that many 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 65 

of the baptized children of the church were growing up 
without owning the covenant ; votes were passed in 
town meeting authorizing Mr. Symmes to visit among 
the people, calling any two men to help him, for the 
purpose of admonishing those who neglected to own 
the covenant. Such persons were to be warned espe- 
ciallj' that " their children could not be baptized if 
they failed in this duty." The result was that many 
persons replied that they believed in all doctrines and 
duties of religion, but they feared they had not a full 
christian experience. The half-way covenant was made 
for them. 

There is no separate covenant on the record of the 
church for ''half-way" covenanters. There never was 
one. The church passed votes from time to time on the 
subject, allowing persons "not scandalous in life, and 
orthodox in faith," to have their children baptized. 
They were allowed all the privileges of the church ex- 
cept the sacrament. For this they were exhorted to 
prepare themselves by prayer and meditation. It was a 
provision to reach that great number of christians, who 
are found in every generation, who are outside the church 
and not do esteem themselves worthy to be called chris- 
tians, or to receive the hoi}' sacrament. The half-way 
system failed. All systems will fail which leave out 
the present, personal, imperative duty to receive Christ, 
to enter his church, to accept the gifts of grace and 
the ordinances of the free gospel of the loving Son of 
God. 



EULINa ELDEES AND THE DIAOONATE. 

The office of Ruling Elder in this church dates from 
its early history till the pastorate of Mr. Williams. The 
following record alludes to the persons who performed 
the dutv, but does not give the title of office : 



66 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

" 22 of 11,1687. Stayed ye Brethren and proposed whether they did 
" consent that the pew next to and under ye pulpit should be improved 
" by such brethren as did serve the church in reading the Psalms, or sup- 
" plying the place of deacons." 

It appears that these persons performed the duties of 
elders and deacons at that date. The regular appoint- 
ment of riding elders was after the acceptance of the 
" Cambridge Platform Jan. 30, 1717-18-: 

" The church being satisfied that it is according to ye mind of Christ 
" that there should be Ruling Elders, difierent from preaching elders, and 
" no objection against their proceeding to the choice of such officers, they do 
" agree and resolve in convenient time, with God's leave, to proceed to ye 
" choice of such a number as upon further consideration and discourse shall 
" be decided." 

March 28, 1718, Sergt John Boynton was unanimously 
chosen Ruling Elder ; Dea. Tenny Jr. was also appointed 
for the ''East End." 

The method of induction to office of elder is not given 
in the records of this church. In other churches the 
ceremony consisted of a " prayer and charge" concern- 
ing fidelity to the trust, closing with the laying on of 
hands and these words, In the name of the Lord Jesus, 
and hy his power committed to this church, we do or- 
dain thee unto the office of ruling elder of this church. 
The duties of the office were chiefly " to assist ye Pas- 
tors and teachers in diligent attendance to all other acts 
of rule besides exhortation and doctrine." " To receive 
applications for admission to the church, and examine 
the candidates in religious knowledge and if satisfactory 
to propound them before the congregation. To sit in 
front of the pulpit during service and dictate the Psalms 
to be sung. The office of deaconess was never in use 
in this church. It was approved by Robinson.* " The 
widow or deaconesse who is to attend the sick and im- 
potent, with compassion and cheerfulness." Governor 
Bradford speaks of this office in the church at Amster- 
dam : 

*FeItV. l,p. 58. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 6*J 

" They had one ancient widow for a Deaconess, who did them service 
" for many years, though she was sixty years of age when she was chosen. 
" She honored her place, and was an ornament to the congregation. She 
*' usually sat in a convenient place in the congregation, with a little birch- 
*' en rod in her hand, and kept little children in great awe. She did fre- 
" quently visit the sick and weak, especially women, and, as there was need, 
*' called out maids and young women to watch and do them other helps, 
" and if they were poor she would gather relief for them of those that 
" were able, or acquaint the deacons, and she was obeyed as a mother 
" in Israel, and an officer of Christ." 

Tlie first appointment of deacons is not quite clear in 
the records. David Haseltine and Richard Hall were 
"nominated to provide elements for the Lord's supper 
Nov. 2, 1682." The list of deacons is as follows : 

T° '^ 1 ^ r ' \ Probably the first Deacons, and chosen Dec. 
Joseph Bailey, j , ^^^^ 

Richard iiall, ( 

Lieut. Sannuel Tenny, j Probably a Committee only, but pos- 

Sergt. Richard Bailey, ( sibly Deacons, Feb. 2d, 1813. 

. vVoodman U,^^^^^ 24th, 1728. 

Moses Day, ( ' 

Joseph Hall, chosen May 30th, 1730. 
Thomas Carleton, chosen Oct. 31st, 1742. 
David Walker, " Nov. 28th, 1745, 

Moses Day, " May 3 1st, 1751. 

Stephen Iviraball, " January 18th, 1754. 
Obadiah Kimball, " March !6th, 1762. 
Thomas Kimball, " April 21st, 1767. 

Thomas Webster, " , 1782. 

Richard Walker, " April —, 1797. 
John Griffin, " Feb. — , 1304. 

John Haseltine, " June 18th, 1807. 
Jesse Kimball, " April 8th, 1826, 

William Day, Jr. " April 25th, 1829. 
David C. Kimball, July 2, 1840. 

S.'^Lewis B^^'speare, { ^^^°^^" ^^^^^"« ^"=- ^^' ^^^^' 

William K. Farrar, 

S. Willard Carleton, h( Oct. 26, 1869. 

Albert L. Kimball, 



68 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORX). 



riEST PASTOEATE. 

The first pastor was Zechariah Symmes, son of Zech- 
ariah Symmes,* pastor of the first church, Charlestown, 
Mass. His mother (Sarah) was a rare woman, "in- 
dued by Christ with graces fit for a wilderness condi- 
tion, her courage exceeding her stature, with much 
cheerfuhiesse did undergoe all the difficulties of these 
times and straites."t The father was a man of rare 
ability and of great physical endurance. " Mr. Symmes 
continued (at Woburn) in preaching and praying four 
or five hours.":]: Mr. Symmes, of Bradford, born in 
Charlestown Jan. 9, 1637, was a man of large stature, 
a graduate of Harvard in 1657, the first scholar in his 
class. He was a man of learning, piety, beloved, re- 
spected. He came to Bradford as a preacher in 1667, 
having preached at Rehoboth (Pawtucket) from 1661 to 
1666. He was ordained at Bradford, Dec. 27, 1682. 

He first married Susannah Graves, of Charlestown, 
1666, two years after coming to Bradford. Second mar- 
riage with Mrs. Mehitable (Palmer) Dalton, 1683, who 
was born in Haverhill, Mass., widow of Hon. S. Dalton, 
of Hampton, N. H. Mr. Symmes died at Bradford, 
March 22, 1707. He was one of the Fellows of Har- 
vard College. It has already been stated that he preached 
in Bradford fourteen years before the organization of 
the church. Why the long delay we cannot tell. There 
was a desire to have the church organized as appears 
by action referred to elsewhere. In 1673, Jan. 6, a 
committee was chosen by the town " to treat with Mr. 
Symmes about his calling to office : Shubal Walker, Rob- 

* Mr. Symmes, sen., with his family came over from England in 1634, in 
the same ship with Mrs. Ann Hutchinson. Her eccentricities showed 
themselves on the voyage. Mr. S. became afterwards one of her most active 
opposers. 

t Johnson. 

JFeltl., p. 474. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 69 

ert Haseltiiie, Mr. Wooster, Thomas Kimball, John 
Tenney, Richard Hall and Samuel Stickney, and to 
make a return of his answer to the town as speedily as 
can be." At the same time it was '' voted and granted 
that ye committee above mentioned have power to in- 
state and confirm upon Mr. Symmes his new dwelling- 
house, and the ten acres of land that the house stands 
upon, if they see needful ; provided that Mr. Symmes 
release them of that engagement whereby we be engaged 
to return to him, if he go away before the ten years be 
expired after his coming hither, all what he hath dis- 
bursed about the house and land." Again, on the first 
day of the year 1677, Mr. Samuel Worster, John Teo- 
ny, John Simmonds and Richard Hall were chosen a 
committee " to joyne with Rev. Mr. Zech. Symmes to 
advise what might be thought best for the further car- 
rying on of the affairs of this town, and to a prepara- 
tion for a settlement of all the ordinances of God in 
this place." 

From the few memorials which remain of thtit early 
pastorate we gather here and there a single item which 
easily suggests the full history of the heart and the home. 
On the 17th of August, 1681, the town placed on record 
these words : 

" Rev. Mr. Symmes did then desire of the inhabitants here met to grant 
him a convenient burying place for his own proper use. It was voted and 
granted, and ensign Samuel Ilaseltine and Richard Hall was then chosen 
a committee to state the place according to Mr. Symmes's desire." 

The place was chosen on the eastern side of the buiral 
lot, and there the pastor gave resting place to the wife 
of his youth, who had bravely encountered the perils and 
struggles of the wilderness home. 

The care of the children was one of the marked fea- 
tures of the first Pastorate. At a church meeting held 
in 1691, very near the close of the year, Mr. S^-mmes 
preached on these words : *•' Feed my lambs." After the 
exposition he enforced his doctrine with call to special 



70 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

action. He said : " if you do approve of the doctrine set 
forth I desire that you express the same," and then pro- 
posed the following : " Brethren, if you consent that the 
adult children of this church be first brought under pro- 
bation by ye officer of this church to try their fitness 
for full communion, to see whether their questions and 
objections might not be answered, their fears removed, 
and their spirits encouraged to come out after full com- 
munion in all church ordinances they are capable of, or 
else they should not be accepted to claim baptism for 
their children ; I desire you would manifest by the usual 
sign." The action was taken according to the pastor's 
desire. 

It was the custom under his ministry to receive the 
cliildren of members who joined by letter, to the special 
care of the church, and to commend members who went 
abroad with their children, to the fellowship and watch 
of God's people. 

The years pass silently. The century is full. The 
years are already filling up another hundred years. The 
church has increased many fold. The burial lot is quite 
thickly peopled. The church stands in the yard where 
the weary rest from their labors, and where the Lord 
"giveth his beloved sleep." Mr. Symmes is growing 
feeble. The long service of thirty-two years has been 
faithfuiry performed. There is need of rest. 

The town, always helpful to the man of God, votes 
to call in a helper in the ministry. 

''Voted, June 28, 1705, that the town would call in 
some help to assist in the work of the ministry. Voted 
that ten pounds in money should be assessed on the 
town within the space of three months to be improved 
for the paying of a minister that may be called to as- 
sist in the work of the ministry. Capt. David Hasel- 
tine and Ensign John Tenney were made choice of to 
go abroad to inquire after some person to assist in the 
work of the ministry, and upon good information to in- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 7I 

vite some person." Mr. Hale was invited and preached 
for the people. At a meeting of the town in the next 
August '' it was proposed to the town whether they did 
take such a liking to Mr. Hale as to employ him in the 
ministry a year. It was put to vote and passed in the 
afi&rmative." In 1706, May 1st, voted to continue Mr. 
Hale's ministry another year. That year in August a 
call was given to Mr. Hale to "take office." " Capt. 
David Haseltine and Cornet Richard Kimball were em- 
powered to go and treat with Mr. Hale if they can." 
Mr. Hale did not accept. Some disagreement appears 
between the town and Mr. Symmes in regard to salary 
in his last years. A vote passed to call a council, and 
" that David Haseltine, Richard Kimball discourse the 
council when come;" but the council did not meet. 
From the next record we learn that a call was given to 
Rev. Joseph Stevens. It appears that the aged pastor 
is too feeble to engage in the work. The people are 
anxious to retain Mr. Stevens. Some trouble arises be- 
tween the town and the pastor. It was proposed to 
build another house on the parsonage land. It was to 
be of liberal size. 

1708, Feb. 13. " Voted to build a house on the par- 
sonage for a minister, forty-six feet long, twenty feet 
wide, fifteen feet stud." This vote was made conditional 
on the acceptance of the call to Mr. Stevers and on his 
consent to live in the parsonage. The church united 
with the town in the call, but Mr, Stevens declined. 
It is possible that he did not feel that he could be use- 
ful while there was an unsettled difficulty between the 
people and Mr. Symmes. The misunderstanding per- 
tained only to financial matters. But in the end an 
amicable settlement was made, and when, a little while 
afterAvaid, they Avere called to give the last tokens of 
love to tlieir patriarchal friend and Pastor, the troubled 
feeling had melied away, and old and young united in 
the common and heartfelt crief. 



72 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Inscription on the tombstone of Rev. Zechariah Symmes ; 
Conditnm Ilic Corpus Viri Veri Reverend! 
Zachaii Symmes College Harvardini 
Quandam Socii Evani^elii Ministri Nati 
Omnigena Eruditione Ornati Pietate 
Vitaeque Sanctitate Maxime Conspicui 
Ecclaesiae Christi Quae est Bradfordae 
Per XL annos Pastoris Vigilentissimi 
fui Commutavit Mortalem cum 
immortali Die XXII Martii Anno 
Domini MDCCVII iEtatis Luci LXXI. 



SECOND PASTOEATE. 

Rev. Thomas Symmes, son of the first pastor, who had 
been settled for a few years in Boxford, was called to 
the pastorate soon after the death of the elder Symmes. 
Born Feb. I,vl867y His father, grandfather and great 
grandfather were clergymen. He studied Latin with 
his father, and afterwards with Emerson, a celebrated 
teacher, of Charlestown ; graduated at Harvard, 1698. 
Remained at Cambridge five years in special study ; set- 
tled at Boxford Dec. 30, 1702 ; installed at Bradford 
Dec. 1708; died Oct. 6, 1725. He was a "goodly per- 
son," having a healthy constitution, a vivid, comely 
countenance, a clear, good voice, a genteel deportment; 
agreeable, affable, his temper hot but under control. 
He was strong, intellectual, studious. In youth not 
well established in doctrine, but in maturity he was a 
strong Calvinist. His preaching was' clear, scholarly, 
conscientious, pungent. He was animated in delivery, 
earnest, greatly rejoiced in preaching, charmed his hear- 
ers, and gave as the fruit of his study the constant and 
fresh exegesis of scripture. He read the Hebrew often 
at family prayers. 

He had a remarkable gift in prayer. He often kept 
private days of fasting, when he sought and found the 
personal blessing of God. Then he would come before 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 73 

his people radiant with the sunshine of heaven, using 
no canting tone in prayer, nor loud voice, but with hu- 
mility and reverence and love, lifting his heart and his 
people up to God. In the preaching which followed he 
magnified his ofQce, speaking with authority, and lifting 
up his voice like a trumpet, preached with all his might.* 

His people greatly delighted in him. His manner was 
cheerful, his conversation brisk, and his knowledge of 
men and things such that he easily engaged the affec- 
tion of all. He was a man of rare excellence. Increase 
Mather said of him, ''I have known him from his youth. 
When at college, I observed real piety in him, and was 
then persuaded that the Lord would make him a bless- 
ing." His labor continued to the end ; he preached for 
the last time on the fourth sabbath of November, the 
26th day of the month. Ten days later he was pros- 
trate from continued hemorrhage. His people gathered 
about him ; a day of fasting and prayer was kept ; 
neighboring ministers came to pray for his recovery ; but 
his work was done. His last words were found among 
his papers, addressing his children, his servants, and his 
church in most tender farewell. His funeral sermon was 
preached by Rev. John Brown, pastor of the first church 
in Haverhill, and on Friday afternoon, Oct. 8, 1725, 
they gatliered at the eastern side of the old cemetery, 
in full sight of the church which stood in the same 
yard, the people of his charge with many sorrowing pas- 
tors and friends from abroad, to pay their last tribute 
of tears to the memory of the faithful man of God. His 
tomb-stone bears this inscription : 

" Rev. Thomas Symmes died Oct. 6. 1725. aged 48. He was an eminent 
christian, very lowly in his life, and every way an accomplished minister, 
of great industry, fidelity, and concern for the generation after, saying, 
' While I live I will seek their good, and when I die, write on my grave, 
Here lies one -who loved and sought the good of the rising generation,^ " 



* Brown. 



74 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 



THE SERVICE OF SONG. 

The ministry of Thomas Symmes was marked by a reviv- 
al in music. The book which tlie Puritans and Pilgrims sang 
from till 1640, was " The Book of Psalms ; Englished 
both in prose and metre." By Henry Ainsworth.* The 
first printing done in New England was the " Freeman's 
Oath " ; next " An Almanack," and then the Bay Psalm 
Bookf for public worship. The Pilgrims of Plymouth 
brought over " Sternhold and Hopkins' version," which 
had a few tunes, printed in one part, the " cantus " or 
" treble." The Bay Psalm Book had no tunes, but the 
people sang "by rote and varied the melody." Mather 
says, " A little more art was found to be necessary," 
and Pres. Dunster and Richard Lyon were appointed to 
make a revision of the Psalms. This edition was called 
the "New England Psalm Book, "but its title was the 
same of that known as the " Bay Psalm Book." It was 
only a new edition. 

The " Service of Song " degenerated. There was no 
instruction in music. The fathers in the churches re- 
membered the tunes as they learned them in childhood. 
As they sang the remembered melodies their children 
learned them. All sang them with variations, so it hap- 
pened at last that no two churches could sing together 
the same tune. 

In 1714, the condition had become such that the ser- 
vice of song was an abomination. Rev. Thomas Symmes, 
in connection with Rev. John Tufts, of Newbury 2d 
church, :j: and others, introduced singing by note and 
singing in parts. There was great opposition when the 

* Ainsworth was a Puritan, who died at Amsterdam, where he had 
founded a church about 1630. 

t The title is not " Bay Psalm Book," but " The whole Book of Psalms 
faithfully translated into English Metre." A copy is in the Public Li- 
brary in Boston. It is a rare book and a good copy sells for $"2000. 

J Now 1st Church, West Newbury. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 75 

people began to sing in parts. Women fainted, men 
left the house. Some ministers opposetl it as a work of 
Satan, and a profanation of the sabbath. 

Mr. Symmes published a discourse on the subject.* 
The title runs as follows : 

" The reasonableness of regular singing, or singing by note, in an essay 
to revive the true and ancient mode of singing psalm tunes according 
to the pattern in our New England Psalm Books, the knowledge and prac- 
tice of which is greatly decayed in most congregations." 

The essay covers the following points: 

" Singing of Psalms is an ancient institution. Deut 31 : 19, 22." 

Josephus says, " the Jews spent whole nights in Kong." " The Saviour 
joined in it — Paul and Silas. 

"The total neglect of singing psalms by many serious christians for 
want of skill in singing Psalm tunes results in this, viz : It is with great 
difficulty that this part of worship is performed, and with great indecency 
in some congregations." 

" The irregular way of singing results in such variations that no two 
congregations sing alike the same tune " 

"Singing by note is the most ancient." ".Why, I ask, were notes 
placed in our New England psalm books if it was not designed to sing ])y 
note?" 

" Singing by note is most rational.'''' 

He then considers these questions, asking and answer- 
ing with wit and reason and not a little sarcasm. 

1. " Is it objected that Papists so sing?" 

2 "Is it not a shame for a man to plead custom in opposition to scrip- 
ture and reason?'"'' 

3. " If good people, -who are not used to it, are offended by it, is that 
reason for giving it up? 

4 '' Is it an objection because •5<7 many adopt it ?" 

5. "Suppose some young people are too light and airy and profane, 
■while learning the tunes, is that an objection?" 

6. " If you say you " have no comfort in hearingf or joining, is there 
not reason to fear you do not make tnelody in the lieart f"' 

7. " Do not the handmaids of the Lord need to be put forth in this 
duty?"J " Have they not the pleasantest voices generally speaking?" 

Mr. Symmes gathered a singing class at his house and 

* A copy is carefully preserved in the Library of the Mass. His. Soc. 

t It was custom to put off the hat when a Psalm was sung, but some of 
the opposers were so offended by the new way that they stubbornly kept 
their hats on their heads. 

X It was a grief to many that women were asked to sing a leading part. 



76 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

one evening he read to tliein a " Joco-Serious Dialogue," 
entitled " Utile Dulci^'' in which he answered the pop- 
ular objections. Grave objections he answered "gravely," 
to the conscientious he gave a " soft answer." To the 
" untoward^ answer with more smartness," " merry objec- 
tions will please take a merry answer." The dialogue 
runs thus: 

"How d'you, neighbor? Why so sad and uneasy"? 
and the neighbor replies. 

" I have seen a great deal of affliction in my time ; 
sickness, crosses and disappointment, but never saw any- 
thing that made me so uneasy as this new way of 
singing." 

This leads to a proposal to discuss objections. The 
neighbor represents the Anti-Rule -Singers^ and offers: 
" It is an unknown tongue and does not edify." 

Answer. "But this is a similitude without a likeness. 
Singing, ' Fa, sol, la,' without the Psalm would be an 
unknown tongue." 

Ohj. "It is not so melodious and pleasant ; some call 
the new way yelling. They would as leave hear the 
wolves' howl. Christ's voice is not in it". 

Answer. " Hottentots are best pleased with guts of 
beasts. Prefer them to chains of gold, because they are 
^ised to them. Few of you ever heard singing in parts. 
You do not know the difference between treble or bass. 
One of your A. R. Singers said that, ' At a certain 
meeting-house, some sang Rowley way, some usual way, 
some new way, some bass!'''' In our congregation z'n ^Ae 
usual way some persons sing a note or two after all are 
done. We must learn to sing. We do not come singing 
into the worlds but crying. Your good man who hears 
not Christ in the new way., betrayed so much ignorance 
of the word of God as I should not suspect a lamb, 
much less a sheep of. He said, ' Instrumental music 
was an invention of David.' ' Organs were not of di- 
vine origin, and, if they were, they were not to be 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 77 

played on the sabbath.' That man is as shy of his bi- 
ble as of some other books written for his use." 

ObJ. " There are so many tunes, we shall never have 
• done learning them ; some say one hundred and fifty tunes." 

Reply. " There have been five sung in our congrega- 
tion, but what we are accustomed to. Hackney, or St. 
Mar3^''s, Standish, Dunhead or Brunswick, Eighty-fifth 
Psalm Tune, and London. Solomon's Songs were 1005." 

Obj. " It makes disturbance, roils and exasperates, 
grieves good people, causes them to behave indecently 
and disorderly in the House of God." 

Reply. " The new way is not spoken against at 
Boston nor Cambridge. If men are offended that is 
their weakness., not their goodness. If we offend it is 
our weakness., not our sin. One of the wisest of the 
A. R. Singers said, when he heard the sermon on ' Pre- 
judice,' ' / will read and pray and examine^ and when 
he had done this, he said ' 'Tis of God.' " 

Ohj. " This way is Quakerish and Popish. It is the 
introduction of instrumental music. The names of the 
notes are bawdy and blasphemous." 

Reply. Apollo himself, who never laughed but once 

in a year, could never forbear giggling again at such 

comical objections. Truly a broad laugh or hearty scowl 

or deep sigh is all the answer needed. As to bawdiness, 

as the tool thinketh, so the bell clinketh. The names of 

the notes were given by Guido Aretina.* As to names 

* Native of Arezza, in Tuscany, flourished in the 11th century. The new 
notation was suggested during the performance of the hymn to St. John. 
The frequent returns of the syllables, ut, re, »«/,/«, 50/, /a, made such 
impression on his mind, that he used these syllables in his improvement, 
converting tetrachords into hcxachords. The hymn which suggested to 
Guido the new method was as follows ; 

" Ut queant laxis, 

Mira Gestorum, 

Solve PoUutis, 

Kesonare fibris, 

Famuli Tuorum, 

Labiis reatum 

Sante Joannes." 



78 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

of tunes, one is as good as another. ' Isle of Shoals,' 
for ' Isle of Wight,' ' Bull Head,' for ' Dunhead' as some 
in derision call them." 

Ohj. "It is needless ; our fathers got to heaven 
without it. What need of all this adoo and pudder for 
nothing ? " 

Ans. " My father taught me a tune by note. He 
learned it at college. You might as well say, " it is 
needless to learn to read because your uncle could not 
read and had as good corn as any body." 

The " Joco-Serious Dialogue " did not quiet the 
feeling. The whole town was in a "rage and a flame 
for more than a year." The performance of music 
in the churches was execrable. Cotton Mather said, 
" Singing, in some places, had degenerated into odd 
noise," and yet the people liked it. They thought 
the new way was the device of Satan. One of the 
objectors said, " I am jealous of this new ivay. If 
you sing by note, then comes "praying hy the book^ 
and preachiny by rule, then comes Popery!'^ Rul- 
ing Elder Tenney, (of blessed memory), sa5^s Symmes, 
"stood before the pulpit" in the humble church 
that stood on the brow of the hill in the old cem- 
etery, " and set the tune, while only four or five 
could sing it, and they with such torturing and twist- 
ing that no one could tell what tune they were sing- 
ing." 

The old time chorister was a feature in New England 

life. "His first care was," as John Tufts says, "to set 

the tune at such a pitch that the people could sing it 

without squeaking above or grumbling below.^' Then he 

was to beat the time, so that the songsters could keep 

reasonably together. They put it on a tomb-stone of an 

ancient tune setter : 

Stephen beat time 

And time beat Stephen." 

The excitement in music was not local. It went through 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 79 

the colonies. At Braiiitree, Minister Niles refused to 
preach in the church if the singing by note were not 
stopped ; so he preached to the Anti Rule Singers in his 
house, while the other party sang by note in the church. 
The difficulty did not heal itself but was referred to a 
council. After grave deliberation and prayer, it was de- 
cided that the matter should be settled by compromise; 
the Anti Rule Singers to sing their way in some of the 
songs, and the rest to be sung bi/ rule. The first 
churches to introduce the new way were Boston, 
Charlestown, Roxbury, Dorchester, Cambridge, Frank- 
lin, Bridge water, Ipswich, Newbury, Andover and Brad- 
ford. 

Another trial came later when instruments of music 
were introduced. The very Evil One had crept into the 
sanctuary, they thought, when the viols and the sacred 
harps so long silent on the willows began to sound 
again. One minister, submitting with bad grace, said, 
let us fiddle and sing the 65th Psalm." 

Mr. Symmes was accused of letting this music be 
brought in irregularly. He immediately asserted his 
prerogative. His whole dignity was in his reply: 

" I introduced it." " I shan't be determined by those 
who neither know what they say nor whereof they af- 
firm." '•'-Arraign my administration and I appeal to 
council." " The Pastor is master in doctrine and mu- 
sic." 

About half a year the whole town was in a flame 
about it. Mr. Symmes wrote his sermon on prejudice 
in the heat of the controversy. He preached it here 
and in Mr. Tuft's pulpit in Newbury, and was requested 
to publish it by the people in Newbury. He assented for 
three reasons: 1. Because •he has refused them several 
sermons they wished to print. 2. Because of their ur- 
gency. 3. Because there were some who heard it who 
did not like it. The sermon shows the aptness and fe- 
licity as well as the firmness and almost audacity of the 



8o MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

man when conscious of doing right. The thought of 
the sermon may be imperfectly shown by analysis. 
Text, John i : 46. And Nathaniel said unto him, " can 
there any good thing come out of Nazareth ?" Philip 
saith unto him, " Come and see." Two things are ob- 
servable, 1. A doleful effect of prejudice. 2. A proper 
remedy for the cure of it. 

I. Nathaniel was a good man. "Israelite indeed," a 
man of great integrity, in his spirit no guile. Not- 
withstanding all this he was under the power of pre- 
judice, a. He was prejudiced against the greatest 
truth of revealed religion. h. He was prejudiced 
against the best man that ever lived, c. He was pre- 
judiced against the greatest duty, i. e. accepting Christ. 
Therefore it follows that good men may be sadly pre- 
judiced. 

II. Observe the reason of this prejudice, a. Partly 
through ignorance, h. Partly from defect in the preacher. 

III. Notice the remedy, a. Come and see. Do not 
take up witli common vogue. 

IV. Observe the nature of prejudice. It is a rash 
judgment without trial. There are no persons or things 
against which we may not be prejudiced. Men are pre- 
judiced against truth, in favor of error ; there is no ab- 
surdity which has not advocates. 

V. But then, let uS look at the causes of it. a. Cor- 
ruption of nature, h. Satan has a hand in it. c. Pre- 
judice proceeds from the just judgment of God on per- 
sons and societies. But, to be more particular, d. Mis- 
understanding of scripture. Peter says some men "wrest" 
the scriptures. Many men now do that, putting the 
word of God to the rack and torture, compelling it to 
utter thoughts not divine, i. Education brings preju- 
dice. /. Great veneration for ancient custom, or what 
men call ancient, leads to prejudice, g. Prejudice arises 
from high thoughts of some persons and mean thoughts 
of others, h. Unwearying arguing from events leads to 



M:gMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 8l 

prejudice. The inhabitants of Melita argued that Paul 
was a murderer because of the viper ; then he was a 
God for a simiUir reason, i. Men are prejudiced by their 
lusts and idols. Finally, prejudice arises from unskil- 
fulness, unfaithfulness and cowardice or unexemplariness 
of ministers. Some pretenders to the sacred function are 
unskilful and cannot ; others are cowardly and dare not ; 
others idle and lukeivarm^ and do not ; others unfaith- 
ful^ and will not rightly divide the word. 

Again. Let us consider the woful effects of prejudice. 
1. It hinders much good. 2. It hurts men's credit. .3. 
Injures men's estates. 4. It hurts posterity. 5. It harms 
society. 

Lastly. Prevention, a. Take heed not to be set against 
the preacher of the word. You think the minister has 
some particular reference to your case. (Pray., sirs, what 
if he has /) This is to you an unpardonable crime. Some 
men are angry with the minister for telling them the 
truth. Such men are unreasonable with a witness (from 
all whom Libera nos Bomine') L speak what I knotv, testi- 
fy what 1 have seen. Horresco referens. b. Take heed 
and not be prejudiced against church members, e. Take 
heed of superstition, d. Maintain a teachable disposi- 
tion, e. If you have reason to fear you are infected 
with the disease come to the word of God. /. Repair 
to your spiritual physician, g. Follow him. Don't balk 
your physician by not taking his remedies, h. Look up 
to God to direct and bless the means for your recovery. 

I shall now shut up the discourse with saying two 
things, a.. Let us pity, pray for, and be helpful to 
those under prejudice, b. Let us take heed of prejudice. 

The effect of the sermon was very marked. It led to 
the abandonment of prejudice against the new ways of 
song. Some indeed were all the more angry, but most 
were turned from passion to reason. 

The result of the controversy was the introduction of 
harmony in the worship of song. Mr. Tufts published 



82 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

a book of tunes.* It was bound up with an edition of 
the New England Psalm Book and was used extensive- 
ly in the colony. The people thought they knew what 
was an anthem of praise. The sw^et lyrics which we 
sing were yet unborn. Watts, Cowper, the Wesleys, 
Montgomery and a great company who have been the 
singers of the church were yet to come. And the 
tunes of the church — some of them were written long 
before — but the church must wait almost a century 
before it can sing Coronation. " There is a fountain 
filled with blood," was as yet only a song in the heart. 
Our own Oliver wrote Federal Street more than a cen- 
tury later. The fugues which our fathers sung were 
not then in being. The great oratorios were only 
grand harmonies of God in the air, waiting for the 
genius which should catch their inspiration and trans- 
late them into the language of men to make them 
the utterance of the noblest sentiments of the reverent 
heart. 



THE TITLE TO LAND. 

In the early life of the colony it was not always easy 
to make terms with the Indians. The country all along 
the sea coast had been depopulated by fatal sickness. 
The Indians were shy, fearful, suspicious, and fled from 
every approach. In 1638, a title was secured from 
Masconomet, the Sagamore of Agawam, and he was 
paid for an indefinite wilderness which covered Ipswich 
and Rowley. In the first years of the eighteenth cen- 
tury the heirs of that Indian chief made a claim upon 
the town of Bradford and the following deed was ob- 
tained : 

* An easy introduction to the Art of Singing Psalm Tunes. By Rev. 
^Ir. John Tufts. A copy bound up with New England Psalm Book is in 
the library of the Mass. His. Soc, Boston. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 83 

"Indians to ye Town op Bradford. 

" Reed on record Aprill 13, 1'702. 

" To all people unto whom these presents shall come, 
Samuel English, Joseph English, and John Vmpee, Indians, 
Grand Children and ye next true rightfull and lawfuU heirs 
of Musquonomonit, als Muschonomet, Indian, deed, who was 
chief Sagamore, and native proprietors of yt whole tract of 
land Extending from ye southerly side of ye River Merimack 
unto Naumkeeg als Bass River, lying in ye county of Essex, 
within ye province of ye Massachusetts bay in New Engld. 
Send greeting, Whereas, divers Englishmen many years since 
in ye life time of ye said Musquonomitt, als Muschonomett, 
and by and with his knowledge, licence and good liking, did 
enter upon, Subdue, Improve, Build and settle an English 
Plantation, containing about Eight Thousand acres of land 
more or less, now called and known by ye name of Brad- 
ford, within and upon part of ye aforesd tract of land in ye 
County of Essex aforesd, which said Plantation or Township 
of Bradford and ye lands thereof are butted and Bounded 
Northerly upon ye said River Merrimack, Easterly upon the 
Line of the Township of Newbury until it come to ye Run 
of water in a certain swamp commonly called Beaver Swamp, 
and then Running on a straight line to a certain Rock com- 
monly called Hardy's Rock, and from thence to a white oak, 
markt on Three sides, standing near into John Pickard's 
fifarme so called, and from thence Running near said John 
Pickard's house, and so over Johnson/s Pond so called to 
an oak tree standing at ye south easterly corner of ye Pond 
called Little Pond, and from thence to a run of water on ye 
north side of a certain hill comonly called and known by ye 
name of Philistine hill, and following yt Run of water till it 
come to the line of The Town of Andover, and so upon An- 
dover Line till it come to ye River Merrimack, as also a 
certain Island cald and known by ye name of Gage's Island, 
containing about six acres of land, more or less, lying in 
Merrimack River aforesd : now Know yee, yt we, ye said 
Samuel English, Joseph English, and John Umpee, ye 
true righti'uU and lawfuU heirs of ye above named Saga- 
more Musquonomit, als Muschonnomct, as well upon ye 



84 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Consideracon aforesd as for divers other good causes and coa- 
sideracons us there unto moving, more especially for and in 
consideration of ye Sum of Six pounds and ten shillings, in 
currant Silver mony of New Engld, to us in hand at and 
before ye ensealing and delivery of these presents, well and 
truly Paid by John Tenny, Phillip Atwood, and John Boyn- 
ton, all of Bradford aforesd, yeomen, appointed a Committee 
by the Rest of ye Freeholders and proprietors of ye lands 
within and belonging to ye said township, ye receipt of 
which sum of sis pounds ten shillings in mony we do here- 
by acknowledge, and ourselves to be therewth well satisfied, 
contented, and fully paid, have given, granted, aliened, Re- 
leased, Enfeofed, Ratified, and Confirmed, and for Ever Quitt 
claimed, and for us and every of us. each and every of our 
heirs, Do by these presents freely and absolutely give, grant, 
aliene, Release, Enfeofe, Ratify, Confirm, and for Ever quitt 
claim unto ye sd John Tenny, Phillip Attwood, and John 
Bointon, and ye Rest of ye ffreeholders and proprietors of 
lands within ye said Town of Bradford, their heirs and as- 
signes forever, all ye before mentioned Tract of land. Plan- 
tation or township called Bradford, containing Eight Thou- 
sand acres of land, more or less, and described and butted 
and bounded as above Expressed, or howsoever otherwise 
ye same is Butted, bounded, or Reputed to be bounded, and 
also all yt Island aforesd, Commonly called Gage's Island, 
together with all houses, Edifices, Buildings, trees, timber, 
woods, underwoods, fields, feedings, pastures, marshes, mead- 
ows, swamps, ponds, pools. Runs, Rivoletts, Stones, herbage, 
Rights, members, hereditaments, profitts, privileges, Comod- 
ities, Emolumts, and appurtces whatsoever, upon ye aforesd 
tract of land and Island, or any part thereof, or to ye same 
or any part or percell thereof belonging or in any wise ap- 
pertaining, and also all ye Estate, right, title, Interest, In- 
heritance, use, property, possession. Claim, and demand what- 
soever of us ye said Samuel English, Joseph English, John 
Vmpee, and every of us, our and every of our heirs, of, in, 
to, and out of ye same, wth ye reversion and reversions, 
Remainder and Remainders thereof, and also all and Every 
sum and sums of money or paymts wh'soever, to be asked, 
Challenged, or in any wise demanded therefore : Excepting 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 85 

only a certain percell of Land of about three hundred acres, 
comonly called Mrs, Phillips his ft'arme, Extending from ye 
aforesd River Merrimack up to Rowley Road, and all ye 
meadows Belonging to said flarme Lying within ye sd Town 
of Bradford, according as sg,id farm is Bounded : 

"To Have and to Hold all the Before mentioned, to be 
granted and Released, Lands and premises, in ye actuall 
possession of ye said John Tenny, Phillip xittwood, and John 
Bointon, and other ye free holders and proprietors of ye said 
Town of Bradford, being (Except only as before is Excepted) 
with all ye rights, members, profitts, Hereditaments, & & 
appurtences thereunto belonging, unto ye said John Tenny, 
Phillip Attwood, and John Bointon, and ye Rest of ye ffree- 
holders and proprietors of ye said town of Bradford, their 
heirs and assigns for Ever, To their only proper use, Beue- 
fitt, and behoofe respectively for Evermore, ffreely, peaceably, 
and Quietly to possess, use, occupy, and enjoy ye same as 
a good, perfect, and absolute Estate of Inheritance, In fee, 
without the least lett, deniall, molestation, suit, trouble, evic- 
tion, ejection, claim, or demand of us ye said Samuel Eng- 
lish, Joseph English, and John Vmpee, or any or Either of 
us, or any or either of our heirs, or of any other person or 
persons, from, by, or under us, any or either of us, and 
we do hereby for ourselves and our heirs, Covenant, grant, 
and agree, to and with the said John Tenny, Phillip 
Attwood, and John Bointon, their heirs, Exers and admrs, 
on behalf of themselves and ye Rest of ye freeholders and 
proprietors of ye town of Bradford aloresd, their heirs and 
assigns, to warrant and defend all ye sd Granted and 
Released premises, .and every part and parcell thereof unto 
ye said John Tenny, Phillip Attwood, John Bointon, and ye 
Rest of freeholders and pprietors of ye sd town of Bradford, 
their heirs and assignes for Ever, against ourselves, our 
heirs, and every of them, and all and all. and every other 
person or persons having, claiming, or pretending To Have 
or Claim, any Estate, Right, title, or Interest in or to ye 
same, from, by, or under us, any or either of us, or from, 
by, or under ye sd Musquonomonitt, als Moschounomet, or 
any other Sagamore or Indian whatsoever. 

" In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and 



86 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 



seals ye Thirtieth day of January, anuo Domini One thousand 
seven hundred, annoq RRs Gulielmi Tertii, Anglise &c. Deci- 
mo. 



Signed, Seald and dd in pres- 
ence of us. 

By Samuel English, on March 
2, 1700-1. 

Samuel Hazen, for Sam. 

Robert Clement, for Joseph, 
31, 5, 1701. 

Moses Parker, for Sam. 

John Griffin, for Joseph, 31, 
5, 1701. 

Tho. Parley, Joseph ffoster, 
for John Vmpee, 22 Octo- 
ber, 1701. J 



ye 
Samll 9 English and seale. 

mark of 



ye 



and 



Joseph -9^ English ^^^^^^ 



mark of 



ye mark 

John '"^ Vmpee, seale. 
of 



The title thus secured put an end to all controversy 
with the Indians. The reason was not so much that 
the satisfactory price was paid, nor that the instrument 
was witnessed and on record with sealed signature, but 
the end of all controversy had come because the power 
of the Indians was broken. The tribes retreated before 
the advance of civilization, and their warriors could 
never keep their ranks filled along the clearings of the 
frontier. They made successful raids upon the colonies. 
They caused great fear and consternation and their 
bloody deeds filled many cabins with unutterable grief. 
But these fiendish cruelties did not retard the march of 
civilization. The Puritan had come with a great pur- 
pose to set up a kingdom in which righteousness and 
peace might dwell forever; his strength and courage 
would never weaken under the influence of these desul- 
tory attacks of the foes of the darkness and the forest. 
The end of King Philip's war was the end of these in- 
cursions for booty. The only thing that remained was 
to ask and receive another price for the land. The 
price was paid and the title signed, sealed and recorded. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 87 

It was the cupidity of human nature which was shown 
in this repeated claim of reward. The English kings 
showed the same spirit. It was less bloody, more tech- 
nical, plausible, crafty ; but it was not less atrocious and 
shameful. In the one case and in the other it was the 
exhibition of selfish greed, ungoverned by principle; in 
the end suffering shame and loss. 

King James I gave, by letters patent, * " unto Sir 
"Richard Roswell, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Salston- 
" stall, John Endicott, and fifteen others, all that part 
"of New England, which lies and extends between a 
"great River there, commonly called Monomack^ alias 
"Merrimack River, and a certain other River there, 
"called Charles River, and also all and singular those 
" lands and Hereditaments whatsoever ; lying and being 
"within three miles southward of Massachusetts Bay, 
"and also all those lands and Hereditaments whatso- 
"ever, which lie and be within the space of three miles 
"to the Northward of said Merrimack River, * * * 
"and from the Atlantick to the South Sea (Pacific) and 
"and all Lands, Grounds, Place, Places, Soils, Woods, 
"Woodlands, Havens, Ports, Rivers, ' Waters, * * 
"Mines, Minerals, * * * in free and common soc- 
"cage, * * yielding and paying therefore the fifth 
"part only of the Oar of Gold and 'Silver which should 
"be gotten." 

This charter was to their heirs and assigns forever, 
and yet Charles II "cancelled, vacated and annihilated" 
this charter, and compelled the colonists to buy their 
land over again. The charter was renewed by William 
and Mary; it was broken by George IH. The original 
charter allowed self government by the colonists, but the 
King revoked the order and appointed a Governor. It 
freed them from taxation for the expenses of the home 
government, but in the end taxes were laid on them, 
at the pleasure of the Crown, while they were given no 

*Neal's New EaslanJ, v. II, p. 258. 



88 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

representation. Under the charter the towns had their 
own sovereignty ; they met for dehberation as they chose, 
laid taxes, maintained schools, roads, cared for the poor, 
and conducted their affairs without "let or hindrance." 
They met in General Court by deputies, there deliber- 
ated for the colonies, laid taxes for matters of general 
concern. They had their governor, council and general 
court. Under the wild absurdities of King James the 
whole charter was swept away ; the rights of towns, 
general court, the appointment of governor, council, and 
all the privileges which had been the pride of citizen- 
ship, by fiat of sovereign will, were " vacated and de- 
stroyed." The towns must help in making assessments. 
The people must pay quit rents, take out new patents 
and pay for them. Only three towns in Essex County 
complied. Bradford was not one of them. Rev. Mr. 
Wise of Ipswich was thrown into prison and deprived 
of his sacred office and heavily fined for urging the peo- 
ple to resist. It was a temporary triumph only. The 
purpose was to hold the colonies as a " conquered king- 
dom," the lands confiscated, the people at tlie mercy of 
the king. 

The insolent, infamous Laud got his hand again at 
the throat of the Puritan. He wrote in higli glee of 
the vacancy of the charter to Gov. Winthrop, but his 
cruel scheme was a failure, he died on the scaffold and 
left his name to lasting ignominy. Gov. Andros, un- 
der Charles, tried to subvert all rights and destroy the 
Puritan commonwealth, but he was led to prison by 
the sturdy men he tried to humble. The "Council 
for Safety" was organized, the aged Bradstreet was 
made its head; the convention was called, thirty-three 
•towns responded, Bradford among the rest, and the 
"old charter was claimed as still in force." At this 
point a ship arrived with the welcome order to "pro- 
claim King William and Queen Mary." Joy was uni- 
versal. The people flocked to Boston. They "pa- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 89 

raded the streets" in goodly companies, they rang the 
bells, held a feast at the Town-Honse, and made the 
streets resound with hearty acclamations " till the bell 
rang at nine o'clock, and families met to thank God at 
the domestic altar for causing the great sorrow to pass 
away."* 

It was long before Englishmen could believe that the 
colonies could live without the mother country. We find 
these words in one of the histories of the times : 

t " But after all it will be impossible for New England 
"to subsist of itself for some centuries of years; for 
"though they might maintain themselves against their 
''Neighbours on the Continent, they must starve with- 
"out a free trade with Europe, the manufacturers of the 
"country being very inconsiderable; so that if we could 
"suppose them to rebel against England, they must throw 
"themselves into the arms of some other Potentate, who 
"would protect them no longer than he could sell them 
"to advantage." 

It was this idea that led to the domineering policy of 
the mother country. She did not know the ability of her 
American colonies. The town of Bradford resisted the 
encroachments of arbitrary power, instructed the depu- 
ties in General Court to stand firm against taxation 
without representation. Only three towns in Essex 
County appointed commissions under Governor Andros, 
to levy a direct tax for the king. Bradford was not one 
of the three. The whole trouble which culminated in 
the independence of the colonies might have been averted 
if the colonists had enjoyed an undisturbed title to land, 
the equal rights of citizenship and the kindly protection 
of sovereign power. 



* Palfrey V. Ill, p. 590. 

t Neal's New England, v. II, p. 254. 



90 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 



THIED PASTOEATE. 

Joseph Parsons, the third Pastor, was born at Brook- 
field 1701 ; graduated at Harvard 1720 ; ordained at 
Bradford June 8, 1726 ; died May 4, 1765. He married 
Frances, daughter of Lieut. Gov. Usher, of New Hamp- 
shire. He hud ten chiklren, of whom Joseph was pastor 
of the church in Brookfiekl in this state. 

Action was taken by the town in caUing the pastor, 
uniting with the church in the call which had been already 
voted. The town voted Feb. 18, 1725, to call Rev. Jo- 
seph Parsons to be " pastor of church and minister of 
the town." "Voted May 5, 1726, that the town would 
bear the charge of Rev. Joseph Parsons's ordination by 
a rate. Capt. Kimball, John GriflQn and Lieut. Hasel- 
tine were chosen to order the affairs of the ordination." 

Mr. Parsons had a most difficult task. At the age of 
twenty-five he succeeded, after an interval of eight 
months, one of the most brilliant men of the colony. 
But he was equal to the occasion. He was a man of 
simple piety, of very earnest spirit and positive charac- 
ter. He preached the election sermon before the An- 
cient and Honorable Artillery in 1744, and the election 
sermon before the General Court in 1759. 

At the installation of his successor, Mr. Balch, in the 
right hand of fellowship, spoke of Parsons as "that 
great and good man." Mr. Gushing in his charge to 
the people said of the Ihree previous pastors, "you have 
had uncommon gifts." He spoke of Parsons, " His 
praise is in all the churches," " his regard for the oracles 
of heaven," "his devotion," "wisdom," "prudence," 
" candor," " charity," were set forth and he concluded 
with these words, " his doctrine dropped like rain from 
heaven." 

There was a large assembly at the settlement of Mr. 
Parsons. The council was composed of the following 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 9I 

persons : Rev. Joseph Parsons, of Salisbury, who preached 
the sermon ; Rev. Moses Hale, of Newbiny, who gave 
the Right Hand; Rev. John Rogers, of Boxford, who 
gave the Charge; Rev. Samuel Phillips, of South An- 
dover ; Rev. John Tufts, of Newbmy, New Town ; Rev. 
John Barnar d, of North Andover ; Rev. John Brown, of 
Haverhill. 

It has been supposed that the churches in this val- 
ley suffered from false doctrine during the time of the 
pastorate of Parsons and Williams. It was not true of 
this church. The pastors were faithful in preaching the 
truth. Fortunately their own sermons remain to testify 
for them and the doctrines they taught. 

In 1741, Aug. 12, Mr. Parsons preached an installa- 
tion sermon at Salisbury. It was after the first visit of 
Whitefield, when charges were very freely made against 
the spirituality of the clergy. Mr. Parsons chose for his 
subject, "^ minister'' s care about his life and doctrine"* 
I Tim. 4: 16: Take heed unto thyself and unto the doc- 
trine. The following analysis will show the spirit and 
sentiment of the sermon. 

I. "The need of example, its power, its persuasive- 
"ness, its service. 

II. "The need of giving heed to doctrine, that is 
"truth, that which makes wise unto salvation. The minis- 
"ter must seek on his knees to be aided of God that he 
''''may know the truth. 

III. "Consider the danger of performing ill. Truth 
"is unpopular. Satan opposes it. The passions of men 
"resist it, the tastes of the ungodly are averse to it. It 
'''■requires a hero to preach the truth. Truth is not sim- 
"ply what great men have said. It is what is revealed. 
"Ministers must not fear the men who support them. 
"They must not be influenced by the love of novelty, 
"nor by ambition for fame or applause." 

Better advice never was given on such an occasion. 
* A copy is in the Public Library, Boston. 



92 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Plainer truth never was spoken. Mr. Parsons jDreached 
a sermon in Bradford on the Respect unto Reivard. It 
was repeated in other places by request, and published.* 
Text, Heb. 11: 26. He takes issue with those who ad- 
vocate that "the sinner ought to be willing to be 
damned." He ought rather with a holy desire seek and 
long to know how he may glorify God in obedience. 
"We are to seek the highest joy." "That is found in 
righteousness." "The aim of the Atonement is the 
"Glory of God in the re-establishment of a righteous 
"life in man." The sermon concludes with a tender, 
forcible appeal to sinners touching the fear of the loss 
of the soul and of God. 

It is said that Parsons opposed Whitefield. He was 
opposed to the irregularities which attended his min- 
istries. He smarted under the accusation of "dumb 
dogs " applied to the ministers of the valley. Very pos- 
sibly he overestimated the prerogatives of the pulpit. 
He was one of those who signed a protest to the min- 
isters of Boston against Whitefield's admission into the 
pulpits.f The protest is against irregularities and slan- 
derous suggestions and all those things which had al- 
ready caused divisions in the churches and threatened 
to divide them still more. I read in that protest 
the grief of anxious men who were possibly mistaken, 
but certainly were not false. They ask, " was there 
ever such alienation of affection among ministers? or 
divisions among churches?" 

Figures are poor indications of spirituality, but they 
have somewhat of value. It is supposed that the bless- 
ing of God rested specially on those men who favored 
Whitefield. It was the accusation brought against those 

* Copy in Public Library, Boston. 

f The protest is signed by Gushing, of Salisbury; Lowell, Newbury- 
port : Odlin, Amesbury ; Webster, Salisbury ; Parsons, Bradford ; Balch, 
Groveland ; Johnson, West Newbury ; Gushing, West Boxford ; Barnard, 
West Newbury ; Barnard, Haverhill. A copy is in the Boston Atheneum 
Library. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 93 

men who opposed the New Divinity that they were not 
spiritual. Five ministers stood opposed to Parsons. 
The churches over which they were settled, received, 
during the next twenty years, respectively, 27, 61, 37, 
63 and 9 members ; on an average, 39 members. But 
the Bradford church received, in the same time, one 
hundred members, and more than any other one of 
them, and with one exception more members than any 
other church in the association. 

I confess to great joy in beholding the true history of 
Parsons. Character is never destroyed by the fiat of a 
human will. It is a subtle force in the world, abiding 
long years, after cruel words have been spoken. It may 
sometimes hide itself in the dusty alcoves of the li- 
braries, and after a whole century has passed, come forth 
to meet the approval of men. I love to think of this 
godly man holding on his way through controversy, 
against the odds of increasing sin and worldliness, his 
" doctrine dropping like the rain from heaven," called 
to preach before the General Court, called to preach or- 
dination sermons in all the churches round about, and 
beholding the blessing of God on his labors through the 
long thirty-nine years. Forty added to his church the 
first year of his ministry; twenty-six the next year. Pre- 
cious revivals at other times adding 268 to the com- 
munion. The Lord forbid that I should say ought 
against the good of the Whitefield preaching. The Lord 
forbid also that I should fail to discover the good in 
that man who resisted the anathemas and invectives of 
arrogant selfishness under the garb of devotion ; who, a 
plain country minister, bearing the burden of his work 
with life-long devotion, even though he had not the 
elocutionary art to " make men weep by the pronuncia- 
tion of Mesopotamia^'''' had the learning and consecration 
and fidelity and devotion to God, which received the 
recognition of heaven, in the great host he gathered 
into the kingdom of righteousness. 



94 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

His people wept for him when he went to heaven, 

and they wrote on the stone, which they raised over 

him in the old cemetery, these words : 

This stone is placed over the dust of Rev. Joseph Parsons, A. M., Pas- 
tor of the First Church in Bradford, as a testimony of the esteem and re- 
gard his flock bore to him, as an excellent minister and a christian, 
prepared for the better world. He was favored with a quick and easy dis- 
mission from this, May 4, 1765, in the 63d year of his age, and the 39th 
of his ministry. 



THE riEST COLONY. 

The time has come for a division. There is no con- 
troversy. The people are of one mind, but the num- 
bers have increased ; the distance from the meeting-house 
is very great for those who have settled on tlie hights 
which overlook the river below the island, and on tlie 
fertile lands towards Newbury and Rowley. The inter- 
val between two pastorates was considered a favorable 
time to make any needful changes. The East Precinct, 
in Bradford, now the church in Groveland, was incor- 
porated, June 17, 1726, and the church organized June 
7, 1727. One hundred and one members were dis- 
missed from the mother church to form its first colony. 
This included both the deacons. The names are as 
follows : 

William Balch, Samuel Jewett, 

Samuel Tenney, William Hardy, ■ 

Richard Bailey, Francis Walker, 

William Savory, Ebenezer Kimball, 

Samuel Hale, Moses Worster, 

John Hutchens, Thomas Stickney, 

Daniel Hardy, / Benjamin Hardy, 

Ezra Rolf, Thomas Hardy, > 

Thomas Savory, Isaac Hardy, 

James Bailey, Jacob Hardy, Jr., 

Caleb Hopkinson, Thomas Hardy, Jr., 

Abraham Parker, Jr., Samuel Hale, Jr., 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 



95 



Francis Jewett, 
Joseph Worster, 
William Hardy, ^ 
John Pemberton, 
Jacob riardy, 
Joseph Hardy, 
Richard Hardy, 
Thomas Bailey, 
Ebenezer Burbank, 
Samuel Palmer, 
Edward Wood, 
Robert Savory, 

The women were not admitted at the 
but at the subsequent meeting, July 28. 
are as follows : 



Joseph Hardy, Jr., 
James Hardy, 
David Tenney, 
Edward Hardy, 
Timothy Hardy, 
Jonathan Hale, 
Jonathan Tenney, 
Joseph Bailey, 
Joshua Richardson, 
Thomas Hardy, 3d, 
Samuel Hardy, 
Jonas Platts. 



organization, 
Their names 



Widow Bailey, 
Widow Hopkinson, 
Hannah Tenney, 
Hannah Bailey, 
Wife of Thos. Hardy, Sen, 
Martha Hopkinson, 
Hannah Savory, 
Sarah Worster, 
Martha Hardy, 
Eunice Bailey, 
Elizabeth Hutchins, 
Wife of Joseph Hardy, 
Wife of James Hardy, 
Dorothy Tenney, 
Elizabeth Worster, 
Abigail Bailey, 
Wife of Thos. Hardy, Jr., 
Mary Wood, 
Widow Hardy, 
Martha Pemberton, 
Anna Platts, 
Hannah Hardy, 
Abigail Worster, 
Bethiah Hutchins, 



Eunice Foster,- 
Rebecca Savory, 
Mercie Worster, 
Sarah Hardy, 
Martha Leason, 
Deborah Hardy, 
Hannah Kimball, 
Mary Stickney, 
Elizabeth Palmer, 
Sarah Burbank, 
Wife uf Richard Hardy, 
Wife of John Tenney, 
Deborah Wallinglord, 
Hannah Hardy, 
Hannah Richardson, 
Hannah Smith, 
Mary Hardy, 
Sarah Tenney, 
Esther Hardy, 
Sarah Jewett, 
Rebecca Hardy, 
Mehitable Hardy, 
Jane Harriman, 
Wife of Sam'l Hardy, 



g6 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Elisabeth Parker, Anna Jewett, 

Joanna Bailey, Mary Bailey, 

Ruth Jewett, 

Thirty-three of the members bore the honorable name 
of Hardy. In 1736, the church in West Boxford was 
organized and a majority of its members were dismissed 
from the Bradford church. This division removed from 
the church one deacon and one ruling elder. This was 
a great loss to the church. Mr. Samuel Tenney was 
both elder and deacon, and was a man long remembered 
for his sanctity of life and the peculiar sweetness and 
grace of christian character. He wrote shorthand, took 
down the sermons, spent the interval on sabbath days 
between morning and afternoon services at the '* warm- 
ing-house," sometimes reading from these sermons to the 
people and giving kind counsel. He was a delightful 
singer, led the "Service of Song" for twenty-five years. 
The younger Symmes speaks of him tenderly as " of 
beloved memor3\" Mr. Tenney's house was "just be- 
low Mr. Nathaniel Wallingford's." * 



FOUETH PASTOEATE. 

The fourth Pastor was Rev. Samuel Williams, son of 
Rev. Wareham Williams, of Waltham, and grandson of 
Rev. John Williams, of Deerfield, who was a man of 
note in civil and ecclesiastical affairs, carried captive by 
the Indians, his wife slain on the march, his little son 
Wareham walking by his side through the wilderness 
three hundred miles. Samuel was born in Waltham, 
April 23, 1743, graduated at Harvard 1761, selected the 
same year to go with Prof. Winthrop to Newfoundland 
to observe the transit of Venus. He was ordained at 
Bradford Nov. 20, 1765. The following ministers were 
present at the ordination : Rev. William Balch of East 

* Perry's Historical Discourse, p. 65. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 97 

Bradford, Rev. Mr. Flagg, of Chester, N. H., Rev. Mr. 
Sargent, of Metliuen, Rev. William Johnson, of New- 
bury, who offered prayer, Gushing, of Boxford, 

Rev. Edward Barnard, of Haverhill, Rev. Mr. Bailey, 
of New Salem, N. H., Rev. Mr. Parker, of Haverhill, 
Tucker, of Newbury, Rev. Jacob Gushing, of Waltham, 
Woodward, of Weston, Holyoke, of Boxford, Symmes, 
of Andover, *Parsons, of Brookfield, Eames, of Newton. 

Rev. Jacob Gashing, of Waltham, preached the ser- 
mon, Eph. iv : 11-14. At the close of the sermon, after 
a very solemn and tender personal address to the Pas- 
tor elect, he addressed these words to the church : " And 
now to you, dearly beloved^ the first Church and Congre- 
gation of Bradford : When we consider the Pastors with 
which you have been favored, Mr. Sgmmes, the Father 
and the Son, and the late excellent Mr. Parsons, we 
are ready to allude to what was predicted of the Gom- 
fort and Glory of the Ghurch, and say that you have 
been favored with uncommon gifts from heaven, that 
"this and that man" has dwelt among you, and "the 
Highest himself" has hitherto established you. No 
doubt you still retain a grateful sense of the favor you 
enjoyed in your Pastor, who was lately taken from you. 
His praise was in the Ghurches, and his Name, I trust, 
you will always remember v/ith Respect. You well re- 
member his Regard to the Oracles of Heaven ; with 
what Devotion have you seen him address his Maker, with 
w^iat Wisdom and Prudence did he rule the House of 
God. His Gandor, his Gharity ! ' His Doctrine dropt 
like the Rain' from the Sacred Desk ! But he rests 
from 'his labors." 

The charge to the pastor was given by Rev. Mr. 
Balch, of East Bradford. The Right Hand of Fellow- 
ship w^as given by Rev. Mr. Barnard, of Haverhill. At 
the close Mv. Barnard turned to the congregation with 

* Rev. Mr. Parsons, of Brookfield, was son of the third Pastor of Brad- 
ford, and married the sister of Rev. Samuel Williams, the fourth Pastor. 



98 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

a solemn charge as follows : " We congratulate you, my 
" Brethren of this Church and Congregation upon the 
" Event of this day ; that the Loss of that great and good 
" man, who for many Years stood before you, is so hap- 
" pily supplied. While a gracious God is causing you 
'"'■to put off youv sackdothy a,nd girding you ivith Gladness^ 
" rejoice in him. Rejoicing in him you will be con- 
" cerned, that he is not dishonored by any violation of 
" the law of sobriety this evening, and to discounten- 
"ance every Excess. This I mention as the wisest and 
" best among us bitterly complain, that our Days of 
" Ordination are Seasons of growing Licentiousness, and 
"as it lays very much with a people in whose circle such 
" a solemnity is transacted to prevent many Irregular- 
" ties." 

This word of admonition refers to the custom of the 
times which had changed religious solemnities into oc- 
casions of revelry. Not infrequently an ordination was 
followed by a night of mirth and jollity at the Tavern 
when all the people joined in dancing and drinking, and 
sometimes the night ended in a kind of mad carousal. 
The old ways were not always the best ways. There 
has been some progress. The church does not close its 
solemn, festivities now-a-days with revelry at the public 
house. 

Mr. Williams was eminently useful and acceptable as 
a minister. The character of the man is discovered by 
his influence on other minds. He was an educator; Dr. 
Barnard and Dr. Prince of Salem were his private pu- 
pils. They fitted for the ministry under him. 

During his residence in Bradford, before the war, he 
had living in his family a young man, a student of Phi- 
losophy under him, Benjamin Thompson. This young 
man had a remarkable history. He married Mrs. Rolfe, 
of Concord, N. H. ; was made major in the militia of 
N. H. by the royal governor; by reason of the jealousy 
of the older officers over whose heads the young man 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 99 

was placed, he was charged with disaffection to the col- 
onies, driven from his home and from his step-father's 
house in Woburn. He became a tory and associated 
witli Gen. Gage and other British officers. He carried 
over to England the news of the capture of Boston by 
the continental army. Then he was appointed the under 
Secretary of State for the colonies. Returning to Amer- 
ica he formed a regiment of Dragoons, and held the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. 

After the war he visited Europe, entered the service 
of the Kingdom of Bavaria, with permission of England, 
received the honor of knighthood, reorganized the entire 
military establishment of Bavaria. He introduced meas- 
ures in the kingdom which broke up the prof(3Ssion of 
beggary. He established at Mnnich a public park out of 
an old hunting ground, and in that park the people 
erected a monument to his memory. He had successive- 
ly the rank of Major General, Member of Council of 
State, Lieut. General, Commander-in-Chief of the General 
Staff, Minister of War, and Count of the Holy Roman 
Empire. For this last he chose as his title the old 
name of Concord, and became the Count of Rumford. 

Returning to England he received much attention ; 
published essays on Philosophy ; invented and put into 
use contrivances to relieve the smoky chimnies of Lon- 
don, and the grate and cooking range now in use for 
burning English coal. Revisiting Bavaria in time of 
threatened war he was appointed head of the council of 
Regency. He was made Minister Plenipotentiary to the 
Court of St. James, but his nationality coming into 
question he could not act in this office. He received an 
invitation ftxm the United States to revisit 'his native land. 
While in England he was largely concerned in the or- 
ganization of the Royal Institution for the education of 
the people in true philosophy and other objects. He 
was the real founder of this Institution, and was among 
the first to endow it. He founded the Professorship in 



TOO MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Harvard University "whicTi is devoted to the Application 
of Science to the Art of Living. He was undoubtedly 
a life-long correspondent of Rev. Dr. Williams, while he 
was pastor at Bradford and Professor at Harvard. 

The tory principle of the Count did not come from 
]ji:s teacher in philosophy. Mr. Williams was a thor- 
oughly loyal man. The times were stormy ; the difficul- 
ties between the colonies and the mother country in- 
creased ; the " Stamp Act " was* already passed ; the 
colony rang with the cry "No taxation without repre- 
sentation" ; the American congress was gathered ; the 
" declaration of rights" followed, and the repeal of the 
" Stamp Act." The trouble did not cease. The colonies 
were oppressed and they evaded and resisted. Then came 
force and the " writs of assistance," when James Otis ap- 
peared with matchless eloquence, a flame of fire, and John 
Adams said that during his speaking " American liberty 
was born." The people wore homespun. They drank 
tea made of " four-leaved loose strife" (^Primulacece L. 
QiiadrifoUa'). The cargo of tea was destroj^ed in Bos- 
ton harbor. King George was angry, abolished the 
town meetings in Boston, ordered culprits to be tried by 
English judges, compelled the colonists to submit to the 
foreign rule. All the while there was a growing pur- 
pose in the minds of the people to free themselves from 
this foreign power. The town of Bradford voted to in- 
struct the deputy to the general court to represent be- 
fore that body that the people of this township feel un- 
easy at the encroachments of English power. This was 
the feeling through the colony. The home government 
claimed the right to judge in all cases of transgression; 
English governors ; English judges ; English sheriffs and 
jail keepers, and an occasional word from the throne 
about a larger liberty for the English church. The Puri- 
tan blood grew hot ; the old King''s arms were put in 
order ; the sturdy yeomanry, believing in the justice of 
their cause, and thrilled with the desire for a larger 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. lOI 

freedom, and conscious of power, were ready for any 
duty which might come to them in the providence of 
God. 

In 1774, Dec. 15, Mr. Williams preached a thanks- 
giving sermon on Love of our Country^ Ps. 137 : 5, 6. 
The heads of discourse are, 1. What are we to understand 
hy Love of Country. 2. The obligations ive are under to 
this duty. 3. What particular motives we have to engage in 
it. The sermon is a masterly argument in favor of loy- 
alty. But it is evident that the preacher foresaw the 
trouble which could not be averted, and which led to 
the disruption between the colonies and the mother coun- 
try. He says, " We seem to be on the eve of some 
great and unusual events, events which it is not im- 
probable may form a new era, and give a new turn to 
human affairs." "It is the cause of Self Defence^ of 
J^ublie Faith, and of the Liberties of 3Iankind, that Amer- 
ica is engaged in," and we have everything that is dear, 
valuable and precious to attach us to it." The sermon 
was printed and widely distributed. It breathed no 
spirit of defiance. It counselled peace. It was uttered in 
tenderness and in grief and under the apprehension that 
great evil would soon come. The sermon proved a pro- 
phecy. Three years later Mr. Williams read from the 
same pulpit the Declaration of American Independence.* 
The American congress sent copies to every church re- 
quiring the Declaration to be read, and directed that 
the copy should be then placed in the archives of the 
town as a perpetual memorial. 

There is abundant testimony to the fidelity and evan- 
gelical character of the preaching of this Pastor. In his 
early ministry he delivered two sermons which were the 
key note of his preaching. The doctrine of the sermons 
gives a very good symbol of his pastorate. The subject 
was regeneration. He set forth the importance of sal- 

* The identical copy which was read by Mr. Williams was shown to tho 
people at the Two Hundredth Anniversary Dec. 27, 1888. 



I02 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

vation. The lost condition in sin. The utter inability 
of the sinner. The necessity of change by the grace of 
God. Lastl}^ the blessedness of that change as seen in 
love to God ; love of Holiness ; love to man, and love 
of duty as crowning all. He was dismissed June 14, 
1780, to accept the Professorship of Mathematics and 
Natural Philosophy in Harvard College. He received the 
degree of LL. D. from the University of Edinburgh and 
from Yale College. He was Hon. Member of the Me- 
teorological Soc. of Manheim, Germany, and of the Phi- 
losophical Society of Philadelphia and of the Academy 
of Arts and Sciences of Massachusetts. The latter part 
of his life he spent in Rutland, Vermont, where he con- 
tributed largely to the cause of education in the State 
University. He published historical and scientific works 
of great value. His children and grandchildren have 
filled the highest offices in church and state. 



SOCIAL LIFE IN THE EIGHTEENTH OENTIJET. 

The names on the roll of the church suggest a few 
customs which have disappeared ; prominent among these 
is the fact of human slavery. The "Body of Liberties" 
was written by Nathaniel Ward, pastor of the first church 
in Ipswich, father of John, the first minister of Haverhill, 
and adopted by the General Court in 1641. The con- 
ditions of bondage are these: " There shall never be any 
bond-slavery, villanage, or captivity amongst us, unless it 
be lawful captives, taken in just wars, and such strangers 
as willingly sell themselves or are sold to ws." Following 
the letter of this enactment many servants were brought 
from the Bermudas and sold in the colonies. Indian 
captives were sold as slaves.* In 1676 " there were not 
above two hundred slaves in (Mass.) Colony, and those 
were brought from Guinea and Madagascar."! The 

* Palfrey III. p. 221. 
t Felt III. p, 298. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. IO3 

price in Boston was "ten, fifteen, and twenty pounds 
apiece." Scotch and Irish prisoners were sold as ser- 
vants* The son of King Philip was sold into perpet- 
ual slavery at Bermuda, because he was the son of a 
" notorious rebel and murderer."f This was approved 
by Increase Mather, Cotton of Plymouth, and Arnold of 
Marshfield. The existence of slavery in Haverhill is 
shown plainly by Mr. Chase, $ who quotes from original 
bills of sale, this among others : 

" Haverhill, June 16, 1740. 
" To all peopell to Home this shall Come 

" Know ye yt I Benjamin Emerson of Haverhill In ye County of Essex 
" & Province of ye Mashittusetts Bay In New England — yeoman — for and 
*' in Consideration of one Hundred pounds In Hand paid to me by Nathll 
" Cogswell of Haverhill aford Trader do make over and sell convey to Him 
" my negro Boy seser In all Respts as fully and absolutely as He was Con- 
" veyed to me In ye face of this Bill of sale — furthermore I do warrant and 
" defend Him from all parties whatsoever to the above Named Nathll 
" Cogswell, During his Natural life as Witness my hand ye day and 
' ' year above written. 

witness : Benjamin Emerson. 

*' Nath Woodman 

" Jabez Emerson." 

In 1733, Cesar ^ servant of Ephraim Kimball^ was re- 
ceived to the church in Bradford. In the next year 
Thomas^ servant of Jonathan Kimball. In 1742 Peg^ ser- 
vant of Thomas Carleton. Two years later Scisoo^ ser- 
vant of Dea. Carleton. The records of baptism are sug- 
gestive. " Thomas^ a negro hoy^ brought to baptism by 
" his master and mistress, Jonathan and Lydia Kim- 
" ball, who promised before the congregation to give 
"him a religious education, while he dwelt with them, 
" was baptized Sept. 1726." In other cases the master 
promised for the education of his servant. Nov. 9, 1729, 
London, a negro boy of Richard Kimball, Jr ; Luce, a 
negro girl of Joseph Hall. 1730, Oct. 4, Peg, servant 
of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Fales. Nov., Kate, servant 

* Gov. Bradstreet's reply to the King's letter. See also Felt II. p. 47. 
t Felt III. p. 639. 
J Chase's His. p. 659. 



I04 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

of Ephraim and Mary Kimball. Dec. 13, Argalus, ser- 
vant of Joseph and Frances Parsons. May 16, 1731, 
Samuel Kezer, Henry, a negro, and Hannah, an Indian, 
servants to Mr. John Griffin, and brought upon his 
account. 1738, Peg, servant of George and Mary Carl- 
ton, who engaged for her education, &c. 1738, Oct. 7, 
Sarah, servant of Jonathan Kimball, adult. 1741-2, 
Aug. 1, Scisco, servant of Thomas Carlton. 1762, Jan. 
81, Lun, servant of Richard Kimball, Jr., and his wife, 
who both promised for his education in christian faith 
and practice. 1762, May 20, Sur, servant of Lt. Thos. 
Kimball, who promised, &c. ; Pompey, servant of Joseph 
Parsons, who promised, &c. 1763, Sept. 11, " Joel, son, 
Scisco." 1767, Sept. 27, Csesar, servant of James Head, 
adult. " George^ servant of Eben Webster, who " prom- 
" ised for his education in christian faith and practice, 
" was baptized Sept. 27, 1767." One item should- not 
be overlooked. On the thirteenth of Dec, 1730, Arga- 
lus^ servant of Joseph and Frances Parsons^ is offered for 
baptism. The pastor of the church holds a slave ! 
Thirty-two years later the same pastor " promises for the 
education in christian faith and practice " of another 
servant with the sounding name of " Pompey." 

The Puritan followed Jewish laws closely. The stat- 
utes concerning servitude and criminals were in part the 
copy of Hebrew enactments. Slavery in the Massachu- 
setts colony indicates both the increase of substance and 
the growth of aristocracy. Not a little wealth was 
brought from England, great progress had been made in 
the colony, trade was remunerative, the people were 
gathering property, they could afford to have servants. 
This servitude was a modified slavery. The servants 
were religiously instructed, they joined the church under 
the same conditions as their masters. The laws regulate 
this servitude, which was absolute slavery modified by 
christian life. Certain rights were recognized as belong- 
ing to the slave, but these were not to conflict with the 



MEMORIAL, HISTORY OF BRADFORD. I05 

interest of the master. In 1703 it was voted by Gen- 
eral Court "that slaves shall not be absent from the 
" families to which they belong, or be found abroad in 
"the nigjht time after 9 o'clock." The Boston Neivs- 
Letter from its beginning in 1704, was for years scarce- 
ly ever without an advertisement of slaves and Indians 
for sale."* 

One name gives special significance to the adver- 
tisement : '■''A Likely Negro Woman to he sold. The 
"Rev. Mr. Prince has a Negro woman about 20 years 
" of age, well educated, accomplished for all manner of 
" household business, to be disposed of."f The senti- 
ment of the people, it is said, " abolished slavery long 
before it was illegal to hold men in bondage. An in- 
stance, recorded by Mr. Drakeij: shows this. He is speak- 
ing of Mr. Jackson, " an ardent friend of liberty, and the 
owner of a slave." Seeing his inconsistency, he placed 
on record in the Suffolk Probate Office the following 
document : 

'' Know all men by these presents that I, J. Jackson, of Newbaryport, 
" in the county of Essex, gentleman, in consideration of the impropriety 
" I feel, and have long felt in holding any person in constant bondage, — 
" more especially at a time when my country is so warmly contending for 
" the liberty which every man ought to enjoy, — and having some time 
" since promised my negro man Pomp that I would give him his freedom, 
" and in further consideration of five shillings, paid me by said Pomp, I do 
" hereby remise and release unto said Pomp all demands of whatever na- 
" ture I have against Pomp. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 
" hand and seal, this 19th June, 1776. 

" Witness : Jonathan Jackson, 

" Mary Coburn, 
" William Noycs.'" 

The list of names on the roll of the church contains 
many titles, largely military. Times have changed. The 
early Puritan, with religion as the one thought and pur- 
pose, has become secularized. The " state has been 
evolved from the church." Wealth has increased. The 

* Mem [list, of Boston, v. II. p. 485. 

+ Mr Prince was Pastor of the Old South Church. 

J Memorial Ilist. of Boston, v. IV. p. 155. 



I06 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

people live no longer in the primitive cabin. Tlie two- 
storied house, standing with side to the road, with the 
lean-to roof, was the typical house of the period. An 
occasional house of this sort is still standing. The an- 
cient Peabody mansion standing opposite the High School 
in the village of Bradford is a fair representation. An- 
other kind of house became common during the last 
half of the century, having a porch or entryway, like 
the house on Bradford neck where the late Raymond 
Kimball lived. 

The style of life changes, rigors of the early settle- 
ment are known no longer, luxuries increase, imported 
goods, silver plate in place of the old-fashioned pewter 
platter, silks, laces, tea, coffee, foreign customs prevail, 
more courtly manners, more elaborate equipage. 

In 1730 the First Church of Bradford obtained new 
service for the sacrament. Whether by gift or purchase 
we know not, but the sacramental cups are now in 
possession — two silver cups with a handle on each side, 
with this incription : For the use of the First Church in 
Bradford^ 1730. " 



riFTH PASTOEATE. 

Rev. Jonathan Allen was the fifth Pastor. Born in 

Braintree, 1749, graduated at Harvard, 1774, ordained 

at Bradford, June 5, 1781, died in Bradford, March 6, 

1827. He studied theology with Rev. Ephraim Judson, 

of Taunton,* who was a Hopkinsian of decided type. 

He was brother of Rev. Adoniram Judson, Pastor at 

Maiden, and father of the missionary to India. The 

council ordaining Mr. Allen was composed of the First 

and Second churches in Andover, Second church in 

* Rev. Ephraim Judson, born in Woodbury, Conn, Dec. 5, 1737, and 
baptized (according to custom) the next sabbath, graduated at Yale 1763, 
settled at Norwich, Conn., 1771, and in Taunton, Mass., 1780. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. IO7 

Boxford, Second church in Bradford, First and Second 
churches in Haverhill, and the church in Plaistow. Rev. 
Mr. Merrill opened with prayer, Rev. Mr. French preached 
from 1 Tim. v : 22, Mr. Symmes of Andover gave the 
charge, Mr. Shaw gave the right hand of fellowship, 
Mr. Adams offeied the concluding prayer. There was 
a divided feeling in the church in regard to the call, 
but the whole matter was :^eferred to the council 
and the result was a united and cordial reception of 
the Pastor by the whole people. Mr. Allen was a 
man of marked character. He is well remembered by 
persons now living. He is familiarly known as " Par- 
son Allen." He was in his earlier ministry less earnest 
and devout than in later years. His sermons indicate 
a marked gravity. He handled the word pf God with 
great reverence, and preached the solemnities of the fu- 
ture life and the terrors of the law with rare fidelity. 
In 1785 he preached the ordination sermon, at the set- 
tlement of his class-mate Benjamin Thurston, in North 
Hampton, N. H. The text was from 1 Tim. iv : 6, And 
thou shalt he a good minister of Jesus Christ. In this 
sermon* he describes the character of a gospel minister. 
A brief abstract will show Mr. Allen's idea of the work 
to which he gave his life : 

" I. The christian minister is a christian in the humble attireof a servant, 
" bearing the cross of his Master. High and elevated titles are not his, 
" the highest honor is to be a servant of Jesus Christ. He will strive to 
" maintain a spirit of piety and an ardent zeal for the divine glory. He 
" will be exceedingly attentive to himself, will ' keep his body under' and 
" 'bring it into subjection.' He will be animated for the glory of God, the 
"honor of religion, the worth of souls, and the importance of the charge 
*' committed to him. 

" II. He must improve in knowledge. The work requires the best 
" ability of the best minds. It is not so easy an employment to preach the 
" gospel as to reduce it to the capacity of a novice. He should know the 
*' original languages in which the scriptures were written. He should be 
" acquainted with science, the history of nations, and, most of all, he must 
" know by daily study the word of God He must be ' mighty in the 
''scriptures.' He must understand human nature. He must not be im- 

*The sermon was printed and a copy is in library of Bradford Academy. 



I08 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

" mersed in stndy so as to be excluded from the world, and overlooking hu- 
" man nature, preach only abstruse and metaphj'^sical disquisitions instead 
'• of gospel sermons. He must be prudent, must starve the censures of the 
" world by prudence, while he feeds the souls of men with the gospel 
" food. He must have finnness and fortitude, lie must go forward under 
" the most declining state of religion ; nothing should unhinge him from 
'♦ his stability, he must not flinch through fear or favor, from duty. 

" III. His employ is chiefly to preach the gospel, using language sim- 
" pie, strong, nervous ; his illustrations rational, pertinent, easy ; and must 
" never darken council with -words ■without knowledge, so perplexing and 
" puzzling his hearers. He must set forth and impress a reverential awe 
" of the divine majesty, show the union of the Son with the Father, his 
" offices of mediation and atonement. He will not neglect the elapsed state 
" of man, the end of renovation, pardon, sanctification. He will shew the 
" duties of man and enforce them from motives of happiness and misery, 
" both in this life and in the future. He must preach by example as well 
" as by precept. He must advise, instruct, edify, and sympathise with 
" sorrow. He must reclaim sinners and bring them to the awakened sense 
" of duty. In all he must be a man of prayer and of holy, devout life." 

It is said that Mr. Allen had the soberest view of 
the duties belonging to the christian ministry, but his 
life was not so solemn as his sermons.- He was fond of 
fashion and festivity. He wore the short breeches and 
silver' knee buckles and a cocked hat and powdered wig. 
He entered into the life of the people, the frolic and 
jest, and every social pastime. The social influences 
were strongly against religion. Bradford was very gay 
and festive. The young and old joined in frequent fes- 
tivity. John Hasseltine built his house and finished it 
with a dance hall. The second story of that house, in 
the rear part, which is still standing, was devoted to 
amusement and dancing. It was not an uncommon thing 
for Parson Allen to call for his deacon to go and spend 
the evening at the dance hall.* " A revival of religion 
was a thing never heard of."t But in the midst of this 
frivolity the spirit of God came to the heart of the 
minister and people with great power. There were faith- 
ful men, and women especially, who were praying for 
God's special blessing. The prayer was answered. The 

* I had this from Miss Mary Hasseltine. 
I Miss Mary Tenney. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. IO9 

preaching was changed in its spirit ; the young people 
at the dance-hall were thoughtful in the midst of their 
frivolity. Among them one was a peculiar favorite — 
beautiful, thoughtless, rolicksome, and always ready and 
foremost in frolic and amusement. She used to chase 
the youthful Rufus Anderson "about the Academy 
grounds with a stick."* She could always bribe the 
bell ringer at the Academy with a smile. This was 
Nancy Hasseltine. She grew thoughtful while the dance 
went on. She left the gay throng, went out into the 
garden, walked under the fruit trees, while the thought 
came like a voice from heaven into her heart, " she that 
liveLh in pleasure is dead while she liveth." She sought 
for the advice of "Aunt Hall" who had counselled the 
gay girl till she had become discouraged. The special 
visit, which was for "the sake of gaining religious coun- 
sel, was almost over before the seeking girl unburdened 
her heart and found the affectionate christian counsel 
she sought. John Hasseltine and his wife were worldly 
people. They did not believe in " experimental piety." 
John Hasseltine passed by a window of his house, 
looked in and saw his daughter on her knees ; she was 
in tears, filled with emotion wliich found expression in 
prayer. She was his model ; he often referred to her 
as proof of his favorite doctrine that the natural heart 
needed no divine help in order to the complete virtue. 
He said in liis heart, " if my child, so sweet and inno- 
cent and fair must needs weep when she comes to God 
in prayer, what will become of me ? " He walked out on 
his farm ; the vision of that girl kneeling and in tears 
kept before him. He threw himself down under an oak 
tree and poured out his soul in an agony of prayer. 
The answer was immediate. His belief, his feeling, his 
spiritual perceptions were all changed as by a sudden 
inspiration. The peace of God in his^heart was so pre- 
cious and so full that he rose from his knees shouting 

* I had this from Dr. Anderson. 



no MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

with strange joy, " glory to God ! "* The good work 
went on in the church. The young people in the Acad- 
emy were interested. The Principal, Rev. Abraham 
Burnham,t was himself quickened in his religious char- 
acter and became an active helper. " God gave divine 
energy to his word." More than thirty inquirers sought 
the Lord, among them Mary Wheelwright, J Harriet At- 
wood, Fanny Woodbury, John Hasseltine and his wife, 
and four daughters, Rebecca, Mary, Nancy and Abigail 
C, Moses Hall and wife, and Betsey Trask, and many 
others whose lives have been a blessing in the church 
and in the world. The results of that work of grace 
were wonderful. The renewed church, the transformed 
Pastor, the new Academy baptized with the Holy Ghost, 
social life lifted to the higher plane of fellowship with 
truth and with duty and with God. We think of the 
house, transformed from a dance-house, where the minis- 
ter and his deacon were a little time ago engaged in 
frivolity, now a place of prayer, that house ever after 
associated with nurture in piety and education and ben- 
evolence, and we think of that fellowship in all that 
makes up the culture of the human mind, the poetry, 
metaphysics and theology of ripest scholars ; we think 
of the maiden life prepared by that revival to confront 
the great question of personal surrender, for the love of 
Christ, in a life of missionary toil. We think of the 
question decided and the determined action, in face of 
the argument of many friends, and even the protest from 
very many christians against the rashness of the under- 
taking. We think of that heroic spirit of Ann Judson 
and Harriet Newell who crossed the sea and gave the 
world that rare example of self-sacrifice. The voyage 

• * The whole of this account was given to me by Miss Mary Hasseltine. 

f Rev. Abraham Burnham was born at Dunbarton, N. U., Nov, 18, 1775, 
graduated Dartmouth 1804, Preceptor at Bradford 1805-1807, studied 
theology with Dr. Parish, of Byfield, ordained at Pembroke, N. H. March 
2, 1808, died 1853. 

X Afterwards Mrs. Dr. Codman of Dorchester. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. Ill 

on the brig Caravan, the first sight of the Hindoo cot- 
tages, the hostility of the East India Company, the early 
death and lonely burial of that youthful missionary on 
the Isle of France. Two years at Rangoon, "remote," 
"unfriended," "reft of every stay but heaven," "the 
little grave in the garden," the troubled home at Ava, 
the red cloud of war, the death prison, the extortions, 
privations, the journey to Oung-pen-la, the daily expec- 
tation of death, the long years of engrossing agony and 
the recorded feeling of assurance in it all, " my prayers 
will be answered" — the work in intervals between the 
agonies for the women and girls, the few converts, the 
sudden death alone with her Burman women and the 
last cry of anguish in the Burman tongue, and the 
lonely grave under the Hopia tree, where pilgrims linger 
and weep. We have been tracing the ways of God, 
following one of the avenues along which the revival of 
1806 has sent its power, we have come to the ends of 
the earth where this church has buried one of its chil- 
dren. Again, we think of that majestic, queenly woman, 
the impress of whose life is to-day on a thousand homes, 
who has sent her pupils into all lands, and has given 
to them the inspiration of a noble purpose, led them to 
a christian hope, and we behold how that work of God 
reaches out into the wide world, itself a most important 
factor in the problem of the world's uplifting and salva- 
tion. 

On the 5th of February, 1812, Parson Allen preached 
a sermon at Haverhill on the occasion of the em- 
barkation of the missionaries Ann Judson and Har- 
riet Newell. The text was from John ii : 52 — That also 
he should gather together in one the children of Grod, 
that were scattered abroad. In the sermon the preacher 
showed what God has done, what he is doing and what 
he has got to do to gather his scattered people. He 
tenderly addressed the missionaries as " my dear chil- 
dren," and gave his parting farewell and benediction. 



112 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

The service was closed with singing by the great con- 
gregation of the hymn written by the preacher for this 
occasion : 

Go, ye heralds of salvation; 

Go, and preach in heathen lands ; 
Publish loud to every nation, 

What the Lord of life commands. 
Go, ye sisters, their companions, 

Soothe their cares, and wipe their tears. 
Angels shall in bright battalions 
Guide your steps and guard your fears. 

Go, ye pilgrims, heirs of glory, 

Show to Pagans Christ your King ; 
Wliile the gospel is your story, 

Earth shall with hosannas ring. 
Go, and let your whole behaviour, 

Show your love to Christ your Loed, 
Let the heathen know their Saviour, 

Teach them to obey his word. 

Led by him who in a manger. 

Once a feeble infant lay ; 
In rough climates, free from danger, 

You shall plow your briny way. 
Speed your course across the ocean, 

Till you reach the Burman throne. 
Tell those nations their devotion 

Must be paid to Christ alone. 

Landed safe in distant regions. 

Tell the Burmans Jksus died; 
Tell them Satan and his legions. 

Bow to him they crucified. 
Far beyond the mighty Ganges, 

When vast floods between us roll, 
Think how wisely Jesus ranges 

Nations wide from pole to pole. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. II3 

While with heathen nations blended, 

Light and peace within shall rise ; 
When your days on earth are ended, 

Chi'ist receive you to the skies. 
To his grace we now resign you, 

To him only you belong; 
You with every christian Ilindoo, 

Join at last th' angelic throng. 

Parson Allen preached a sermon on the sudden death 
of Eliphalet Kimball, October, 1785, 2 Sam., xiii. : 39. 
The first sentence is this : " King David, although a 
good man, was very fond of his children." The divi- 
sions are, 

I. Death is the lot of human beings and it may be 
very sudden. 

II. After death their case is unalterable. 

III. Sorrow on their account will not avail anything 
either to them or ourselves. 

IV. Grief to an immoderate degree should not be in- 
dulged. 

The sermon has on its cover a row of hour-glasses 
and underneath an equal number of skulls and cross- 
bones. On the title page is a very large skull, and 
the doctrine in the application is solemn, a^vfiil, somewhat 
sepulchral ; but it is truth, the sovereignty of God, the 
present offer of grace, and the need of accepting it. 
Mr. Allen's sermons were marked by severity in the 
depiction of the guilt of sin and doom of the sinner. 
His sermon on 2 Peter, iii. : 8, is an example. His 
theme is the unchangeableness of God. First "to the 
child of God ; a comfort ; a lasting blessing ; an eternal 
joy." " Happy the man under the care of an eternal 
friend." But ' let the wicked fear and tremble.' "Be 
" sensible of this, oh sinner, that you are not more deter- 
" mined to sin than God to punish you. That same aver- 
" sion to sin which he now feels he will always retain." 
In his 807th sermon on the " blessed hope" he dis- 



114 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

courses on the immortal joy of heaven. It is a favorite 
theme. He gives wings to his imagination, presents the 
heavenly world with its all beauty and grandeur and 
never-fading glory. 

It happened in 1801 there was a special interest 
awakened in the subject of baptism. Some members 
of the church were dissatisfied with the Pastor's pre- 
sentation of it. They concluded to withdraw from the 
church and unite with the church in Haverhill. They 
addressed a paper to the Pastor " with a number of ob- 
servations respecting his preaching, very illiberal^ erro- 
neous^ and unfounded.''^ On the next lecture day the 
Pastor delivered a treatise on Baptism,* very elaborate 
and scholarly. It was printed at Concord. Forty-four 
pages of it only remain in the copy preserved. The 
covenant relation of the children of the church has rarely 
been set forth with greater power. 

Mr. Allen was a poet. He published a " Poem on 
the Existence of God," " An Ode on Creation," and 
an " Eulogy on General Washington," with " Several 
Hymns." The longer poems are somewhat like his ear- 
lier preaching, dignified, a sprinkling of classic allusions, 
the affectation of learning, the voice of piety but with 
little heart, products of great care and labor, but lack- 
ing fervor and soul and life. The truer poesy of his 
nature appeared in later years, in the hymns which 
were inspired with the new life that came to him when 
the gospel of God became a new power, in those days 
when the heart of the Pastor thrilled with that love so 
tender and strong, and that fellowship so sweet with the 
present Lord, which rejoiced in the utterance of the Di- 
vine message of grace to dying men. After one of 
those sermons, when the whole congregation was melted 
and in tears, they sang for the first time that sweet 
hymn which has been adopted by christians all the 

* A treatise on Baptism, vindicating the mode of pprinkling, and the 
rights of Infants, by Jonathan Allen, A. M. Printed at Concord, 1801. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. II5 

world over as one of the precious songs of the church. 
It has given Mr. Allen fame in two continents. It was 
born in the revival of 1806. It is printed in the hymn 
books of churches of every kind. The first version of 
the hymn is as follows : 

Sinners, will you scorn the message, 

Sent in mercy from alfove ! 
Every sentence — 0, how tender! 

Every line is full of love. 
Listen to it. 

Every line is full of love. 

Hear the heralds of the gospel, 
News from Zion's King proclaim, 

To each rebel sinner — pardon. 
Free forgiveness in his name, 

How important 1 
Free forgiveness in his name. 

Tempted souls, they bring you succour, 
Fearful hearts, they quell your fears; 
, And with news of consolation. 
Chase away the falling tears. 

Tender heralds, 
Chase away the falling tears. 

False professors, grovelling worldlings. 

Callous hearers of the word. 
While the messengers address you. 

Take the warnings they afford. 
We entreat you, 

Take the warnings they afford. 

Who hath our report believed? 

Who received the joyful word ? 
Who embraced the news of pardon, 

Offered to you by the Lord I 
Can you slight it ? 

Offered to you by the Lord! 



Il6 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

ye angels hovering round us, 

Waiting spirits speed your way, 
Hasten to the court of heaven. 

Tidings bear without delay. 
Rebel sinners 

Glad the message will obey. 

In the last years, growing feeble in body, Mr. Allen 
joined with the church in seeking a colleague. He pre- 
sided at the services of installation, gave his blessing to" 
the young man who was to be his helper, and from 
that time his public ministries ceased in the church. 
His death occurred three years after the settlement of 
the junior Pastor, but there is no word in the records 
respecting it, and the last days of this godly minister 
of Christ have passed from the memory of man. 



THE NEW EKA IN BENEVOLENT WORK. 

The Pastorate of Mr. Allen covered the period when 
the church began to take a more intelligent, practical 
and personal interest in every kind of missionary labor. 
The early years of the nineteenth century were marked 
by the growth in the churches of a broader charity. 
" The missionary spirit was rising," young men in the 
colleges were moved as by a new inspiration. Mills, 
Hall, Richards, Nott, and others are considering in prayer 
the duty of young men to a dying world. Griffin, Wor- 
cester, Morse, Dana, Spring and many others among the 
clergy, Avith Bartlett, Walley, Huntington, Chapin and 
Treadwell among the laity, are in correspondence and 
consultation in regard to the need of an onward move- 
ment of the churches of God for the conversion of the 
world. On the 25th day of June, 1810, Dr. Spring of 
Newbury port and Rev. Samuel Worcester of Salem rode 
together in a chaise from Andover to Bradford, and on 
that fair June morning the plan was matured for the 



MEMORIAL, HISTORY OF BRADFORD. II 7 

formation of the American Board. The General Asso- 
ciation met at Bradford that day. Adoniram Judson, 
Samuel Newell, Samuel Nott and Gordon Hall, were 
present, and on Thursday, June 28th, they laid on the 
sacramental table before that body, in the church which 
stood on the common, their proposal to give their lives 
to work among the heathen. The fact that the Gener- 
al Association met at Bradford that year has no special 
significance. But the work of missions had already in- 
terested Pastor and people. Missionary enthusiasm was 
here already. Parson Allen had been familiar with the 
Judsons ; he studied theology with an uncle of Adoni- 
ram Judson. It is said that he introduced the mis- 
sionary to Nancy Haseltine. It is said that the meetings 
for prayer in the old Academy building, at the very 
time when Mills and his companions met by the " hay- 
stack " in Williamstown, were marked by a manifest de- 
sire to know the will of God more perfectly in regard 
to personal duty in bringing the world to Christ. It 
is certainly a suggestive providence that when the plans 
had been laid for the great work and the young men 
were ready to go forth to foreign lands, the two young 
women who sailed in the " Caravan" — Ann .Tudson and 
Harriet Newell — were young converts in the revival of 
1806, and they had their training in Bradford Academy 
and under the faithful ministry of Parson Allen. Char- 
acter which shapes events and is ready for grand op- 
portunities, is not an accident, it is a result of nurture 
and care. 

Other oi'ganizations began in the early years of this 
century. The church in Bradford welcomed them all. 
The spirit of the people may be illustrated by allusion 
to the history of one effort which had its origin here. 

The Philendian Society was formed April 2, 1813. 
Its object was "to support female teachers" in places 
where tliey might be useful in the moral and intellect- 
ual training of neglected children. The society was of 



Il8 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

special interest and care to Mr. Allen, the Pastor in 
Bradford. The membership included the most influen-' 
tial women of Bradford and extended to Haverhill and 
Newburyport. Schools were established in Haverhill, in 
By field, «n the Isles of Shoals and in Wenham. The 
results were very gratifying. The blessing of God ac- 
companied the work and the conversion of many souls 
followed. Other societies for benevolent work came into 
being, and as they covered this field, this particular 
organization ceased after five years of faithful work. It 
was among the early beginnings of mission effort at 
home, and was itself a fruit of the reviving of God's 
work among his people. The names of many cherished 
women of Bradford appear in these records. The Has- 
eltines, Mary and Abigail C. were teachers at Byfield. 
The amount raised for the object was nearly one thou- 
sand dollars. But the contribution of labor was consid- 
erably more. The best part of the work was the free- 
will offering of time and ability by the members who 
devoted themselves to the good of the needy in the 
name of God. 

The interest in missions continued. The generation 
of christian women which followed excelled in those 
rare traits which belong to the best type of woman- 
hood. It was the custom of these women to follow 
every month in most careful study all the missionary 
enterprises of the time. They mapped out the fields 
of labor, gathered materials for discussion at great pains, 
compiled their incidents and their thoughts and opinions 
into labored essaj^s, and for years these semi-monthlj' dis- 
cussions were the marked feature of the social life 
of Bradford. The memory of those women is precious 
in the history of the town. The children love to remem- 
ber their names. Hasseltine, Tenney, Greenleaf, Kim- 
ball, Carleton, Munroe, Ordway, Johnson, Emerson, 
Pike, Hall, Trask, Payson, Peabody, Gage, Morse, 
Spofford, Chadwick, and a still larger number we can- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. II9 

not name, whose intelligent virtues gave character to 
all social life while they lived. 



BEADPOED ACADEMY. 

Neither the history of the church or town would be 
complete without some notice of the institution which 
has been a pioneer in the cause of education and which 
has maintained its life and enlarged its sphere of labor 
and sent forth its thousands of pupils into all lands. In 
the early part of 1803 the people began to feel the need 
of better advantages for education. The town had al- 
ways given attention to this subject. As early as 1710 
the faithful clerk placed this record in fair hand on the 
town book : 

" The Town did Impoure the Selectmen to Imply Wemen to teach letel 
" children to read." 

Nearly a century later this record was made : 

" At a meeting of a number of the Inhabitants of the First Parish in 
" Bradford, March 7, 1803, It was mutually agreed upon that a Building 
" should be erected for an Academy and the following persons becamesub- 
" scribers to defray the Charges of building said House" 

The signatures include the large majority of the names 
of the families in the parish. In three months the build- 
ing was completed and the school was opened by Mr. 
Samuel Walker, Principal, and Miss Hannah Swan, Pre- 
ceptress. The school was incorporated in 1804. Fol- 
lowing Mr. Walker the Preceptors were as follows : 
Samuel Green, 1803-4; Rev. Dr. James Flint, 1805; 
Rev. Abraham Burnham, D. D., 1805-7; a man whose 
influence in the revival of i 806 was very great and pre- 
cious, and whose life afterwards in the ministry was 
abundantly successful. Isaac Morrill, 1807 ; Samuel Pea- 
body, 1808; Rev. Daniel Hardy, 1808-10; Rev. Luther 
Bailey, 1811 ; Hon. Samuel Adams, 1811 ; Richard Kim- 
ball, 1811-12 ; Rev. E. P. Sperry, 1812 ; Hon. Nathaniel 



I20 MEMORIAL HISTORY OV BRADFORD. 

Dike, 1812-14 ; Daniel Noyes, 1814 ; Benjamin Green- 
leaf, 1814-86, who was the last Preceptor. The school 
from that date was established as an institution for the 
education of young ladies. Up to this time it had been 
a mixed school. 

The early fame of Bradford Academy is due very 
largely to Benjamin Greenleaf, a man of versatile talent, 
an enthusiast in teaching, a mathematician and author 
of world-wide fame, a christian of simple and unques- 
tioning faith and rigid virtue, a man of kindly sensibil- 
ities, generous, unsuspecting, unalterable in friendship, 
a citizen pure, unselfish, upright, and a teacher devoted, 
affectionate and unwearied in labor. He lived to a good 
old age, and died greatly lamented. His pupils fill 
honorable positions, and are scattered far and wide, and 
his books which he wrote during the busy years of his 
life in Bradford are in use by a great number of schools 
far and near. October 29, 1864, he passed from the 
labor of earth to the reward of heaven. 
■ The name of Abigail C. Hasseltine was already fa- 
miliar in the school. She had been preceptress from 
1815. When Mr. Greenleaf resigned, she became Prin- 
cipal, and continued in that office till her death, being 
relieved in the later years of life of the active duties. 
A rare woman, in person tall, slender, in presence com- 
manding and queenly, as a teacher, faithful, earnest, in- 
spiring. She formed character, taught her pupils to live 
for a high purpose, made them to feel the nobility of 
christian womanhood, and created in their minds the 
strong desire to live for the highest end — the glory of 
God. She had the largest views of education. She 
fitted life for all duties, suited her counsel to all minds. 
When she spoke of the subject of duty she was often 
stern and severe, but she mingled with the rigidity and 
severity words which expressed the exceeding joy to be 
found in doing well. She belonged to the number of 
them " that turn manny to righteousness." By her 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 121 

devotion and fidelity she earned the reputation which 
extended to all lands. Her pupils, scattered over all 
the world, often speak of the loving sympatliies of 
her heart — of the inspiration of her presence — of the 
wonderful devotion to her life-long work — of her noble 
christian zeal. 

It is not the purpose of this sketch to trace the lives 
of all those who have given shape to the institution 
which is the pride of the town. The list of teachers 
includes names of persons of rare excellence. When 
after long service Miss Hasseltine resigned the more ac- 
tive duties, it was not an easy task to fill .her place. 
The principal had wrought herself into the work and, 
when she withdrew, it was like the removal of the 
school's life. Short terms of service followed in the 
principal's chair. The school did not regain its full life 
and prosperity till it was given into the charge of a 
young lady, born in Bradford, a namesake of the former 
principal. Miss Abby Hasseltine Johnson. The new 
teacher had many qualities of mind and heart which had 
made her predecessor so distinguished in her work. 
For several years enjoying the counsels of Miss Hassel- 
tine, and always working in harmony with her, Miss 
Johnson not only made the success of the past sure, 
but she carried the school forward into new and en- 
larged fields of usefulness. The work, so long under 
the direction of one " developing, energizing, executive 
mind," seemed still to be pervaded with the same spirit 
and thrilled with the same noble purpose. 

Rare wisdom has been shown in the choice of the 
Board of Trustees. The list of Presidents is as fol- 
lows : Rev. Jonathan Allen, A. M., 180.3-27, who gave 
to the institution the best wisdom of his riper years ; 
Rev. Isaac Braman, 1827-43 ; Hon. Jesse Kimball, 1844 ; 
Hon. Samuel H. Walley, 1845-49 ; Benjamin Greenleaf, 
A. M., from 1850, till the second era in the life of the 
institution when its course of study was enlarged and 



122 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

broadened and the plan was formed to rear the present 
academy buildings and furnish the school with every- 
thing needful to meet the increasing demands for the 
higher education of woman, the Presidency was as- 
sumed by Rev. Rufus Anderson, D. D., late Secretary 
of the Am. Board of For. Missions. Associated with 
him were such men as Samuel D. Warren, Ezra Farns- 
worth. Rev. Nathan Munroe, Hon. J. A. Palmer, Hon. 
E. S. Tobey, Hon. George Cogswell, Hon. William A. 
Russell, James R. Nichols, M. D., Frederic Jones, Na- 
than Durfee, M. D., Rev. R. H. Seeley, D. D., Rev. J. 
H. Means,. D. D., who were led by the venerable Presi- 
dent to devise large things for the Academy. In its 
early life the institution had received the free will ofiPer- 
ings of Lieutenant Edward Kimball and Jonathan Chad- 
wick, Esq., and others, and these gifts secured pros- 
perity. The new prominence given to the widening 
sphere of woman's work suggested something more as 
needful for the future than had been gained in the noble 
history of the past. Generous contributions were made, 
and the present spacious edifice which overlooks the val- 
ley of the Merrimack was built and furnished with li- 
brary and cabinet and laboratory, and under the care of 
Miss Abby H. Johnson, the school attained a prosperity 
which was, at least, equal to the best success of past 
3-ears. After the new building had been erected and 
the success of the school had been assured by a few 
years of prosperous life, Dr. Anderson resigned the of- 
fice of President and was followed by Rev. James H. 
Means, D. D., who has contributed largely to the pros- 
perity of the institution. 

Of the present condition of the Academy, its popu- 
lar and highly esteemed Principal, Miss Annie E. John- 
son, the plans for further enlargement, under the care 
of the wise and devoted President, Hon. George Cogs- 
well, it is not my design to speak at length. It may 
be suflficient to say that the generous men who have 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 12 3 

done so much hitherto, still devise liberal things. The 
foundations are now ready to be laid for the enlarged 
accommodations. The school is to be completely fur- 
nished with everything needful. The success of the 
past is to be rivalled by the future. One of the glories 
of Bradford is still to be its Academy. The spacious 
Halls, the increasing Library, the Rooms of Natural 
Science, the Studio of Art, the Conservatory of Music, 
the Astronomical Observatory, the lecture rooms for 
Literature and Language and Philosophy are the pres- 
ent possession which this generation may use for the 
culture and refinement of the daughters of the land, 
and which it is our sacred duty to guard and maintain 
and enlarge and so transmit to them that come after us. 



THE FIEST COLLEAGUE PASTOEATE. . 

The later years of Parson Allen's ministry have left 
little record. His time of service was long, extending 
through nearly half a century. He was no longer young ; 
he had reached nearly four score years. His duties had 
been arduous. The church called to his aid a young 
man to be colleague Pastor. Mr. Allen presided at the 
meetings, gave counsel to the church and guided by his 
rare wisdom Pastor and people for three years longer, 
and then entered into rest. Kev. Ira Ingraham, then 
late Pastor of the church in Orwell, Vermont, was called 
to be colleague Pastor. He was born at Cornwall, Ver- 
mont, 1796, graduated at Middlebury 1815, installed at 
Bradford, Dec. 1, 1824, as colleague Pastor with Rev. 
Jonathan Allen, dismissed April 5, 1830. The council 
which installed Mr. Ingraham met on the 1st day of 
Dec, 1824, and the following Pastors were present: 
Rev. Joshua Dodge, Haverhill, Rev. Peter Eaton, D. D., 
2d church Boxford, Rev. Jacob W. Eastman, Methuen, 
Rev. Isaac Braman, 2d church, Rowley (now George- 



124 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

town), Rev. Gardner B. Perry, 2d church, Bradford 
(now Groveland), Rev. Isaac Tompkins, 3d church, Ha- 
verhill, Rev. Justin Edwards, South Parish, Andover, 
Rev. Elijah Demond, 2d church West Newbury, Rev. 
Alonzo Phillips, Presb. church, Princeton, Rev. Jona- 
than Allen, Pastor 1st church, Bradford, Rev. Isaac 
Jones, Bradford. 

It was a gala day for the town. The council met at 
the old Academy. The people gathered in great num- 
bers. After the morning session the council, with Par- 
son Allen leading, moved in procession with the people 
to the church in the common. They were escorted by 
the Bradford Brass Band. Our venerable Deacon Wil- 
liam Day, then in opening manhood, was a member and 
played the leading instrument in the bass. The town 
had not witnessed the induction of a minister of the 
gospel for forty-three years and more, and some one pro- 
posed to" set up a booth in the park and sell drink. 
But this was not approved by the church. If these occa- 
sions come so seldom the people could afford to be gen- 
erous. Arrangements were made with Mr. Eliphalet 
Kimball to spread tables with choice liquors, and every- 
body was free to drink and the church paid the bill. 

Rev. Mr. Edwards preached the sermon, Dr. Eaton 
offered the consecrating prayer. Parson Allen gave the 
charge, Rev. Mr. Phillips gave the right hand of fel- 
lowship. Rev. Mr. Dodge offered the concluding prayer. 

The agreement with Mr. Ingrahara was very carefully 
drawn. The following paper represents the contract in 
part : 

" I herebj' certify and declare that in my settlement as minister of the 
"first or west parish in Bradford, it was agreed and understood between 
" the parish and myself that the parish should have and keep possession 
" and enjoyment of all the parsonage lands, orother real estate of said par- 
"ish, or of the minister and parish, or -however else the same had been 
" held and used before that time ; and to have and keep possession of all 
"the income and improvement thereof, to their own use, without any in- 
" terference by me. They gave me a certain sum of money only for com- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 1 25 

" pensation, reserving to the parish the whole income and use of the said 
'' Parsonage or real estate, and leaving said Parsonage to be exclusively 
'* under the control of said Parish." 

The salary, as expressed in the call, was five hundred 
dollars. The property referred to in the above unique 
paper, was the land which was obtained at the settlement 
of the first Pastor, partly by the covenant with the 
Rowley Plantation and the colony, partly by town pur- 
chase, and partly by personal gifts. At the retirement 
of the elder Symmes from the active duties of the Pas- 
torate an equitable arrangement was- made whereby this 
property reverted to the town, and ultimately it was 
vested in a ministerial fund and given to the charge of 
permanent trustees. The land was in different parcels, 
one lot being at present owned by Orestes West, and 
lying south of the road leading past the old home of 
Lieutenant Kimball and Jonathan Chadwick ; another 
parcel included the parsonage and farm opposite the old 
Cemetery ; there was also the marsh meadow. The fund 
has been carefully guarded and has been increased by 
donations. The act of incorporation of this Board of 
Trust is dated Feb. 10, ISO-t. It has reference first to 
a generous gift. The preamble is as follows : 

" Whereas Jonathan Chadwick of Bradford, in the County of Essex, 
" hath given a state note of eleven hundred and twenty-five dollars, prin- 
" cipal and interest, the interest of which is to be applied towards the sup- 
'• port of a congregational minister in said society forever hereafter. Be 
" it enacted, &c." 

To this Chadwick fund was added the Parsonage 
property including what was realized from the sale of 
wood and timber and land. The first payment from this 
fund was made to Rev. Jonathan Allen, Jan. 25, 1813, 
one hundred dollars. This is distinct from the Albert 
L. Kimball fund which was given by the person whose 
name it bears, Jan. 20, 1880, one thousand dollars. The 
kindly feeling shown by the above gift in 1804 was re- 
peated in another and graceful donation about the same 
time, by the same donor, two silver tankards and six 



126 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

silver goblets for use at the sacramental table, the same 
which are now in use. Other pieces have been added. 
A silver pitcher bears this inscription : 

" From Mrs. Thos. D. Bradlee, a testimony of respect for the church 
" of her native place." 

This last was received during the ministry of Mr. 
Munroe. 

For a time the new pastorate ran smoothly. Three 
years passed and all was well. On the sixth day of 
March, in the third year of Mr. Ingraham's ministry, 
the aged man of God, the senior Pastor, fell asleep and 
in his sleep he entered into rest, and it was spoken in 
an undertone along the street. Parson Allen is dead. That 
very year a precious revival had brought the church very 
near Heaven. Many were added to the membersliip. It 
seemed as though the faithful Pastor, now nearly four 
score years old, had lead his flock up to the very gates 
of heaven, and passed over the threshold and into the 
glory beyond, leaving the flock with the young shep- 
herd. 

Troubles began. Mr. Ingraham was the apostle of the 
temperance reform. His people would not follow his 
bold leadership. This great reform had been in progress 
for years. But the work was not positive, there was no 
decisive action. ' The " Massachusetts Society for the 
Suppression of Intemperance," was formed in 1813. 
The best men in the commonwealth were engaged in it. 
Dr. Worcester, Dr. Jedediah Morse, Rev. Abiel Abbott, 
and Benjamin Wadsworth, Dr. Reuben D. Massey, Wil- 
liam Thurston, Dr. Joseph Torrey, and others not less 
distinguished. The second article of the constitution 
runs thus: 

'• To discountenance and suppress the toa free use of ardent spirits and 
" its kindred vices, profaneness and gaming, and to encourage and pro- 
" mote temperance and general morality." 

From which it appears that the first work in temper- 
ance reform was not on the basis of total abstinence. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 127 

They pledged to abstain from the excessive use. Men 
slowly came to the apprehension of the fact that the 
use of intoxicating spirits, as a beverage, is evil and 
always evil and only evil. 

It is said that Parson Allen was foremost in the par- 
tial reform movement. A society was organized in Brad- 
ford. One day Mr. Allen and his good friend Deacon 
Griffin went to the upper part of the town in the in- 
terest of this society, and specially to visit Mr. Uriah 
Gage, one of the influential men of the town. Mr. Al- 
len opened the matter : " You know, friend Gage, that 
many men drink too much, make bad use of rum, waste 
property, trouble their families and injure their influ- 
ence, and we have formed a society and signed a pledge 
to abstain from this excessive use." Mr. Gage .was a 
genial, hospitable man, and went to his cupboard and 
brought out the decanter and loaf sugar and the toddy- 
stick and invited the minister and deacon to " take 
something." Parson Allen looked at Deacon Griffin and 
Deacon Griffin looked at the Parson, and Mr. Allen 
said, "I believe, Deacon, we have a clause in our con- 
stitution which allows us to drink on extra occasions." 
" Yes," said the Deacon, " and this is a very cold day." 
" And," said the Parson, " it is very clear that this is 
an extra occasion.''^ Nothing more was said of temper- 
ance that day. 

In 1827 the leaders had come to apprehend the need 
of more decisive action. The American Temperance So- 
ciety had been formed on the basis of abstinence from 
strong drink. Hewitt was preaching zealously on the 
subject in Connecticut and that year came over the bor- 
der to do good service in the old commonwealth. Ed- 
wards was sounding the trumpet in Andover, Dr. Muzzy 
led the whole Medical Society into line against rum. 
Beecher came up to the work — a mighty man of valor, 
and it was reported by the Massachusetts Society, " It 
is becoming unfashionable to drink ardent spirits in de- 



128 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

cent company, and it is no longer considered a mark 
of hospitality to offer them." 

The opposition was intense, spirits were sold by mem- 
bers of the church. They had the place of honor on 
the aristocratic sideboard and on the humbler pantry 
shelf. The country store furnished rum with the bun- 
dles of dry goods and groceries. The old account books 
tell a tale of drink ; workmen on the farm were fur- 
nished free, in winter because it was cold, in summer 
because it was hot. The shops were places of frequent 
indecent carousal. The glass of sling was a part of 
social etiquette at the afternoon tea party. The taki'^g 
of wine was a part of every marriage festivity and of 
every funeral solemnity. It was furnished in liberal 
quantities at the birth of a child, at the call of a min- 
"ister in his pastoral visitation, at the raising of a build- 
ing, at the dedication of a church, and at the ordina- 
tion of a minister. 

Mr. Ingraham was undaunted. The Bradford pulpit 
gave no uncertain sound. He stood in the forefront 
with Edwards and Beecher a-nd Muzzy and Hewitt. And 
yet his utterance would not be considered very strong 
now-a-days. He preached one sermon in Bradford which 
gave great offence. The substance of that sermon is 
given because it shows the position which was taken, 
and that the trouble was not with the doctrine, but 
with the times. The text was from Prov. xxiii : 29, 
Who hath woe ? Who hath sorrow f Who hath conten- 
tions? Who hath hahhling f Who hath wounds without 
cause ? Who hath redness of eyes ? 

" I. Let us take a mental -walk along' this river of death. The use of 
" intoxicating drink in this country was extremely limited until the Rev- 
" olution. During that struggle our allies the French, brought with them 
" to this land of Pilgrims, Puritans and Huguenots, infidelity and brandy. 
'' By the former many minds were poisoned ; by the latter came ' woe,' 
" * sorrows,' ' contentions/ ' babblings,' ' wounds without cause,' and 'red- 
" ness of eyes.' The use increased with great rapidity. The impression 
** became almost or quite universal that severe cold or heat or wet could 
*• not be safely endured without this artificial stimulant. The more com- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 1 29 

" mon liquors were found in every habitation, field, shop, factory, store, 
" counting room, office. It was furnished to every workman and provided 
" for every guest. In 1826 probably ninety-nine hundredths of all the 
'' adult population made some use of liquor. During this year some of the 
" choicest spirits in the nation waked up to the peril. They were persons 
" of greatest weight of character in church and state. While these friends 
" of God and man were inquiring, seeking to know what should be, what 
" could be done to roll back the tide of death, there appeared a ray of 
" heavenly light. It i-^ the great principle of entire abstinence.'''' 

"II. The frinciples to be established, {a) Entire abstinence \s thQ 
" only principle sound in theory or safe in practice, {b) More than three- 
" fourths the taxes and expense for support of the poor and punishing 
" crime comes directly as the natural, the necessary result of the use of 
" intoxicating liquor. 

" (c) It is thus settled that the entire business of making, selling; fur- 
'■'• nishing and using such drinks as a beverage is an immorality. The 
" whole is an immoral business. 

" (d) It is settled that all legislation that sanctions in any condition the 
" sale of intoxicating liquor to be drunk as a beverage is morally wrong, 
*' an evil and only evil, deeply mischievous to all the interests of any 
" community. 

"(e) Strong drink produces that exciting, reckless, maddening influ- 
" ence under which a very large jtroportion of all the brutal, hideous, vio- 
" lent crime i>< committed. Strong drinh is raging. 

"III. Application. What can be done to save our population from 
" the -Jjoe and sorrows and contentions and babblings and -wounds -without 
" cause and redness of eyes ? God has solemnly declared that the drunk- 
" ard shall not inherit his kingdom. But there is not one only, but many 
"drunkards in our community. Not one but laany in imminent danger 
" of becoming such. Every one who drinks to inebriation is a drunkard. 
" What mean those hellish yells, those horrid oaths, those heaven-defying 
" blasphemies, that break the stillness of the night, and disturb the mid- 
" night slumbers? What mean those dreadful acts which are an outrage 
" upon all that is human, wliich set at defiance the law both of God and 
" man ? No need of more effort ? What mean the woes and sorrows and 
"contentions and babblings and wounds without cause and redness of 
"eyes? There is need, pressing need, of an advance movement for saving 
" men from the appetite, the character, the doom of the drunkard." 

The preaching was regarded as arrogant, and men who 
were not in sympathy were defiant. The whole town 
was in fever heat, blood was hot, reason and candor 
and chaiity \vere forgotten. A low class of men and 
boys, taking advantage of the popular feeling, and pos- 
sibly urged on by the rumsellers, paraded the streets 
with an image dressed in new black broadcloth, repre- 



130 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

senting the Pastor of this church. They bore it on a 
rail, a pail of water plainly in front, and a rum bottle 
half concealed under the arm. The image was sent out 
in a boat on the river and burned before the rude gaze 
of vile men. While no respectable person approved 
this deed it was not openly condemned. Many persons 
opposed the Pastor; a goodly number clung to him. 
There were special meetings in the old Academy, when 
tears fell and tender words were spoken. Strong friend- 
ships grew up in those sad daj's which continue in the 
memory of some now living. The Pastor saw his way 
clearly, and he acted then as always from sense of duty 
— he resigned. 

On the fifth day of April, 1820, the council met and 
the pastor was dismissed. These words were placed on 
the records of the church as the sentiment of the 
churches represented in council. 

"We consider our Reverend Brother Ingraham an orthodox, able, and 
*' faithful minister of Christ, whose labors have been signally owned and 
•' blessed." 

Another record stands on the same book as the action 

of the church. 

" Whereas it has pleased the great Head of the Church to dissolve the 
" connection," &c. "Resolved, that we have ever regarded him as a 
" faithful Ambassador for Christ, * * * our confidence in him remains 
" unimpaired." 

" Resolved, That his unwearied efforts to promote the spirituality of this 
" church * * * demand our most thankful acknowledgments." 

It is evident that a reaction took place after the sep- 
aration was completed. A young man of prominence in 
the parish gave voice to a general sentiment when he 
sought opportunity to make confession to his- pastor in 
these words, "I cast my vote against you for telling 
me the truth." Mr. Ingraham went from Bradford to 
the beautiful village of Brandon on the western slope 
of the Green Mountains of Vermont, and he was emi- 
nently useful in his labors. His name is very precious 
among that people. The elders in Israel speak of his 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. I3I 

zeal, his clear, pungent presentation of the truth of 
God, his unwearied efforts to bring men to personal ac- 
quaintance with the Lord Jesus. 



SEVENTH AND EIGHTH PASTORATES. 

The church placed on record its appreciative estimate 
of its pastor, Rev. Mr. Ingraham, on the same day of 
the meeting of the dismissing council, and on the 30th 
day of the next June united in giving a call to the 
Rev. L. Ives Hoadley, and he was settled Oct. 13, 1830. 
The churches represented in the installing council were 
as follows: Church in Theological Seminary, Rev. Ralph 
Emerson, D. D. ; 2d Church, Rowley (now George- 
town), Rev. Isaac Braman; Byfield, Rev. Isaac R. Bar- 
bour; 2d Church, Ipswich, Rev. D. T. Kimball; 2d 
Church, Haverhill, Rev. Joseph Coffin; 3d Church, An- 
dover, Rev. Samuel C. Jackson; 2d Church, Bradford. 
The services were in the following order; Introductory 
Prayer, Rev. Spencer F. Beard; Sermon, Rev. Ralph 
Emerson, D. D. ; Consecrating Prayer, Rev. Abijah 
Cross; Charge, Rev. Isaac Braman; Right Hand of Fel- 
lowship, Rev. S. C. Jackson, D. D. ; Concluding Prayer, 
Rev. I. R. Barbour. 

Mr. Hoadley was born Oct. 25, 1790; graduated at 
Yale, 1817 ; studied Theology at Andover, Mass; gave 
the valedictory of his class at graduation; was invited 
to remain a Resident Licentiate on the Abbot Founda- 
tion; assisted Dr. Wisner, of the Old South Church, 
Boston, part of the year 1820-1; was ordained pastor 
of the Calvanistic (now Center) Church, in Worcester, 
Mass, Oct. 15, 1823. 

The ministry of this Pastor in Bradford was pleasant 
to minister and people. He was a peace-maker. The 
blessing of God attended his labor. Additions were 
made to the church. The revival scenes of those years 



132 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

are among the pleasant memories of many persons now 
living. Mr. Hoadly was a rare scholar. After his dis- 
mission, on account of infirm health, he engaged in va- 
rious editorial labors ; edited the last volume of " The 
Spirit of the Pilgrims;''^ labored five years with Rev. 
Dr. Jenks in editing " The Comprehensive Commentary^'''' 
his department in the work being the condensation of 
Henry, the abridgment and adjustment of Scott with 
Benry; and, in the later part of each volume, the col- 
lection and making up of many of the notes from a wide 
range of other authors. He was dismissed from the 
church in Bradford by the same council which installed 
his successor, Jan. 30, 1833. 

During the ministry of Rev. Moses C. Searle, the 
subject of church accommodations engaged the attention 
of the people. The church had worshipped in the meet- 
ing house on the common for more than eighty years. 
It was built about 1751. The house had *' become de- 
cayed," and was " less commodious and capacious than 
was desirable," and it was voted "that it be taken 
down" Nov., 1833. The old meeting house with its 
hinged seats, the sounding board, the square pew with 
balustered rail, the separate seats for the deacons and 
the elders, the aisles crossing at right angles in front of 
the pulpit, the three porches around which the people 
of more than two generations had gathered and through 
which they had passed in glad solemnity to the worship 
of God — the old meetinghouse, richer than any that had 
preceded it in associations, and precious in memory for 
what it has been — must give place to the new white 
church with spire and belfry, and narrow pew and cush- 
ioned seat and polished pulpit of mahogany wood. Mr. 
Searle did not see the completion. Physicians urged his 
removal to a warmer clime and he resigned the pastor- 
ate. The church assented and he was dismissed by a 
council which met in March, 1834, but by fault of the 
scribe no record was left, and hence the date of the 
dismission is uncertain. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. I33 

The *ne\v church was "dedicated to the puhlic worship 
of Ahnighty God, Oct. 8, 1834." Invocation, Rev. Mil- 
ton P. Badger, of Andover; prayer by Rev. Isaac Bra- 
man, of Georgetown; sermon by Rev. Dr. Dimmick, of 
Newbinyport, text Ps. 1. : 2 ; prayer by Rev. Mr. Kim- 
ball, of Ipswich, and benediction by Rev. Mr. Whittle- 
sey, of Haverhill. 

THE OHAXGED INDUSTET. 

The agricultural life of the early history continued 
for a century and a half. After the revolutionary war 
the people of this country gave more attention to man- 
ufactures. The increase of population at the commer- 
cial centers led to the division of labor and the ad- 
vancement of practical arts and trades. The indepen- 
dence of the government resulted in the growth of home 
industries, labor was reorganized, manufactures received 
a new impulse, and became new factors in the economy 
of life in the opening of the nineteenth century. 

The herds of Bradford had been long restricted by 
substantial fences from roaming at will in the free 
" commons," and they no longer wore the brand-mark 
authorized by the General Court, a bow and arrow, the 
arrow penetrating the figure of a heart. The produce 
of the farms is not sufficient to satisfy a laudable am- 
bition. The increasing population demands new avenues 
of labor. There is a tradition of a pottery established 
on Bradford Ivghlands, where brown earthen ware was 
made for a time. It is within the memory of men that 
a mill was very busy grinding corn and wheat on the 
little stream which flows through the Buswell place. Ship 
building at an early day was carried on by John At- 
wood and others. Shubal Walker was the pioneer in 
the manufacture of leather. Johnson's creek had at dif- 
ferent times three fulling mills, ffour saw mills, two bark 

*A very good painting of this church is in the possession of Mrs. D. 
Fitts, of Bradford. 

I Many of the«e facts are taken from Dr. Perry's discourse, 1820. 



134 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

mills and five grist mills, the sluice of one of these " dug 
by Cuff Dole, a person of color, of remarkable strength, 
steady habits, and who died in the comfortable hope 
of a blessed immortality." , 

The manufacture of shoes was begun in the early 
part of this century. Indeed it has been shown by a 
gentleman* of very careful research that this industry 
was carried on before the revolutionary war. In 1792f 
Samuel Tenney, and soon after Uriah Gage and Timo- 
thy Phillips and William Tenney were engaged in the 
manufacture of " sale shoes" in Bradford. They found 
market in Boston, Salem, Newburyport and Portland. 
" They carried their goods to market on horseback." 
The ambition of the trade was soon developed and ex- 
tended. Salem vessels carried Bradford shoes to the 
West Indies. They were sent to the Southern states. 
A commission house was established in Georgetown, D. 
C. Trade extended to Philadelphia and to the cities 
further south, and this manufacture became, after the 
war of 1812, one of the organized industries of the coun- 
try. The business was no longer precarious ; the goods 
were not made as an experiment. The industry had come 
into being partly, indeed, by the creative agency of men 
who were gifted with foresight and wisdom but it was 
also a response to one of the demands of the more com- 
plex social life. In its later development this trade has 
assumed vast proportions. It has been the controlling 
element in the history of the town for many years. It 
has engaged a large capital. It has extended to every 
State and Territory. It has gone to the islands of the 
sea and to South America. Its increase is marked from 
year to year. In 1838 the manufacturers of Bradford 
removed their business to Haverhill, and the town has 
since been a quiet place of residence, while its people 

* See a very interesting address by Q. I. Ordway, Esq. of Boston. 

f These facts were gathered in a valuable historical address by Warren 
Ordway, delivered before the Farmers' and Mechanics' Institute of Brad- 
ford. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. I35 

have been among the most active, industrious and suc- 
cessful in the pursuit of this prosperous industry. The 
names of the manufacturers, Montgomery, Hoyt, John- 
son, Ordway. Webster, Sawyer, Farrar, Kimball, Daty, 
Waldo, Merrill, Ford, Carleton, Durgin, Pearl, Town, 
Hopkinson, and many others, are familiar to all who know 
the history of the growth of this town, the comfort of 
its people, the easy affluence of many of its citizens, 
and the remarkable freedom from distressing poverty. 
The good things of this life are never equally dis- 
tributed ; it would be impossible to maintain a perfect 
equality if the gifts could be so bestowed. But the ac- 
tual necessities of the poor in this goodly town are so 
few that most of them are supplied from private distri- 
bution of charity. The town poor farm was actually sold 
for the reason that the town had no paupers to live on 
it. The town has not yet seen its greatest success. The 
valley of the Merrimack, growing more beautiful every 
year, and increasing in population, in thrift, economy and 
business sagacity, is to be the happy home of a prosper- 
ous, happy people. The river banks will have more 
manufactories enlivened with the hum of machinery and 
the labors of the busy artizans who will carry forward 
the industry of life, and in the future as in the past 
achieve success. 



NINTH PASTOKATE. 

During the interval of nearly two years a call was 
given to Rev. James W. McLane, "a teacher in the 
Classical School at Andover." The call was declined. 
An urgent invitation was afterwards extended to Rev. 
Jonathan F. Stearns to become Pastor. Mr. Stearns 
had supplied the church for some time but declined the 
call. Rev. Nathan Munroe, ninth Pastor, was born at 
Minot (now Auburn), Maine, 1804 ; graduated at Bow- 
doin College with highest honors; graduated at Ando- 



136 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

ver 1835; ordained at Bradford, Feb. 10, 1836. The 
council was large, and the parts were assigned as fol- 
lows : introductory prayer, Rev. Mr. Whittlesey ; sermon. 
Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D. ; consecrating prayer, Rev. 
Dr. Perry ; charge to Pastor, Rev. Dr. Dimmick ; right 
hand, Rev. Jonathan F. Stearns ; charge to the people. 
Rev. L. Withington, D. D. The ministry of Mr. Mun- 
roe is well remembered • by a large number of persons 
now living, and it is not needful to utter at this time 
their esteem for him and his work. During the second 
year of his ministry the following memorandum was 
made in the records of the church, in the hand writing 
of Dea. Jesse Kimball: 

" March 24, 1837. This day died Dea. John Hasseltine, aged 80 years. 
" The ancesters of Dea. Hasseltine removed from this town to Chester, N. 
" H., where he was born in 1756 In early life he came to this place and 
" made it his residence till his death. lie was possessed of much physical 
'• energy, and sustained a good character as a man of integrity and up- 
" rightness, but knew nothing of religion experimentally until the revival 
" of 1806, when himself, wife and several children were hopefully made 
" subjects of renewing grace, and united with this church. In June, 1807, 
" he Wds chosen deacon, which office he held till his death, and the active 
" duties of it to perform with credit to himself, and to the acceptance of 
• the church, until his infirmities rendered it necessary to elect another, 
'• which was done by choice of Dea. William Day in 1829. Dea. H. took 
"a deep interest in the prosperity of the church in this place and of Zion 
'' generally, and contributed readily to sustain those measures which were 
" devised in furtherance of this object. He had clear views of the evil of 
"sin, and especially of his own sinfulness, and continued to supplicate for 
" mercy to the last. Ills end, however, was peace, and he died with a 
*' hope full of immortality." 

A full generation had passed away since the revival 
in which Dea. Hasseltine was brought into the church. 
Mr. Munroe numbers among his parishioners many per- 
sons who have come from other towns. The population, 
under the increasing stimulus of trade, has become less 
stationary. New familes come in, business is more re- 
munerative at the centres of trade. The result is a 
changing population ; not fluctuating and migratory, but 
increasing by valual)le accessions from abroad. Mr. 
Munroe was a faithful Pastor, studious, a strong advo- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. I37 

cate of an orderly walk by the members, conservative 
in his views and in his practice, and thoroughly devoted to 
his work. His labor was blessed with special seasons of 
refreshing from on high. Under his ministry the annual 
meeting of the church on the first Monday of January for 
prayer and mutual confession and edification, became a 
regular appointment. It had been the practice of the 
church to hold that meeting by special vote. Parson Allen 
was accustomed to ask the church to renew the covenant 
with the beginning of the year. Sometimes he wrote a 
special covenant which he asked the members to sign. 

The style of "Mr. Munroe's preaching on extraordi- 
nary occasions may be shown by an abstract of a fun- 
eral sermon. At the same time it may show the char- 
acter of one who was greatly beloved in this town. 
Hon. Jesse Kimball, a deacon in the church, died Dec. 
19, 1846. Mr. Munroe's sermon at the funeral was pub- 
lished. Text, Rom. v. : 7 ; subject, The good man. 1. He 
is a man of strict and unalterable integrity. 2. He is kind^ 
affectionate., benevolent. 3. He regards the lesser duties, 
his character is symmetrical, he is actuated by princi- 
ple not imjyulse. 4. He is humble, unconscious of his 
own excellence. The dailg beauty of his life which is so 
visible to others, is not the object of his own thoughts 
and admiration, so much as the standard which he would 
use, the ideal pattern he would imitate. 5. The crown- 
ing excellence is piety. To a christian mind the truth 
is obvious, and to all minds it should be familiar, that 

'* The Christian is the highest style of man." , 
The sermon closes with a careful delineation of the char- 
acter of his honored friend. The words which fell from the 
Pastor's lips will be welcomed again in these pages by that 
large number of persons who love the memory of that good 
man. The following extract is very much abridged : 

"Dea. Kimball, the son of James and Lucretia Hasseltine Kimball, born 
" A])ril 15, 1792, was possessed of no ordinary powers of mind, his intellect 
" clear, perceptions quick, judgment good, his mind carefully cultivated. 
" lie was fond of good books, was a caretul reader, with the light litera- 



138 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

•' ture, such as makes the mind feeble and sickly, and, as it were, gives it 
" the consumption^ he had little to do. He loved what was solid, fitted to 
"give strength.* His love of knowledge was intense, and he became highly 

* At the same time Mr. Kimball had a relish for those lighter forms of 
literature in poetry and works of the fancy and imagination It is said 
that he was accustomed to write poetry for his own diversion and for the 
gratification of his friends. The following lines have been ascribed to him. 
The subject of the sketch is well remembered by the older residents of 
Bradford ; 

Within our knowledge lives a man, 

And when his earthly course began 

No one can tell — but this is true : 

He lives as well as I and you, 

E'en by himself. The date's forget, 

And when it was it matters not. 

His grave appearance seems to show 

'Twas more than fifty years ago ; 

His aspect is of sable hue, 

His ancestors in Africa grew ; 

But Providence has fixed his lot 

In a more highly favored spot. 

His mansion, neither fine nor great 

Affords no proof of pomp or state, 

' Tis placed beside the public road. 

On land by charity bestowed. 

And equi distant, full in view, 

The deacon, and the parson, too : 

The sight is pleasant and serene. 

There academy and church are seen. 

When entered into, then and there 

How white the table and the chair, 

Nq less the chest, how soft the bed 

On which to rest the weary head. 

The cellar too, and each deposit 

So kept in view ; but more the closet. 

Over the fire-place hangs a key, 

Emblem of trust — and such is he. 

The church and hearse engross his care, 

This academy a greater share. 

A Bible too he can produce. 

Kept more for custom 

Than for use. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 1 39 

" intelligent, fitted to be a companion of men of culture. He was well ac- 

Por so it happened 

He who bought him, 

How to peruse it 

Never taught him. 

Was gardener too for all around, 

He tills their most productive ground. 

Under his care, the fertile soil 

Amply repays the arduous toil ; 

Day after day he labors hard, 

And homeward bears his rich reward. 

His frugal housewife spreads his board. 

And shows to what his stores afford. 

Unlike the Southern tawny race, 

No despot arises from place to place ; 

But nurtured in this happy land, 

He reaps the product of his hand. 

Thus happily his days are spent, 

In humble state he rests content ; 

Freed from the cares of useless wealth, 

While luxury robs of health. 

Thus far my thoughts I have expressed, 

Howe'er it may affect the rest ; 

But if you are in like condition, 

We'll gain redress by a petition. 

He oft disturbs my morn's repose, — 

Dissolves my dreaming, drowsy spell. 

By the noisy tinkling of his bell. 

To sum the whole to one short view. 

He's bellman, sexton, collector, too. 

Thus may he ne'er want for a friend, 

To do for him what he has done ; 

A friend both human and divine. 

On his last closing hours to shine. 

Divine, when earthly comforts cease, 

Bear him to the realms of peace. 

Composed by Jesse Kimball, Esq., on the colored man called Joel. A 
youngster was sent home for pencil and paper, and written under the fence 
in the field where they had been at work, near Joel's, directly after eating 
their field dinner. 

Bradford, Mass., Sept., 1815. 



140 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

" quainted with the principles? of law. As a man conscientious and pure. 
"He filled many important offices, was a member of the General Court of 
" this Commonwealth thirteen years, an active member of the Board of 
" Trustees of Bradford Academy. He had the entire confidence of all. He 
" was hospitable to strangers, generous, tender and compassionate to the 
"poor. Asa Christian he was sincere, humble, stable, faithful. His 
"piety was clear, intelligent, warm. He never forgot his covenant with 
" God, nor his obligations to the church. His life was like the light and 
" warmth of the sun." 

It is not needful to speak at length of the laborious, 
faithful, fruitful ministr}- of Munroe. He was successful 
in no ordinary degree in the benevolent work of the church, 
he was faithful in doctrine, in discipline; there was a 
peculiar charm in his conversation, his house was a place 
of bountiful hospitality. The church was prosperous un- 
der his ministry. A new house of worship was built, 
blessed revivals occurred adding many to the fold of Christ. 

One of his earlier sermons is well remembered by some 
who heard it in May, 1837. A brief analysis, and a few 
extracts, will give some idea of his sermonising. Text, Ps. 
17: 15. I shall be satisfied, when I aivake, with thy likeness. 

Introduction. " This is the language of a devout soul, fully trusting 
" God. He was in the midst of the prosperity of wicked men. From this 
" earthliness with all its luxury he turns avray to catch a glimpse of eter- 
" nal joys. Three topics ; 1. Tke condition of the Ckristia/t in this 
' ' -world. The Christian is never fully awake in this life, is more or less un- 
" der the influence of lethargy. The carnal man finds motives to stimu- 
" late him in everything, the spiritual man can be kept awake only by 
" light and truth from above. Though the life is renewed, yet there is a 
" proneness to sleep in the renewed life, while the old man is as wakeful as 
" ever. The degree of spiritual stupidity is never known by any one this 
" side heaven. The man who is asleep does not know it till he wakes. 
" Sometimes Christians are greatly aroused, they are kindled to unwonted 
"glow; the worth of the soul, heaven and hell are realities, slumber is 
" shaken off, but only partially ; even then the soul is only partially 
" awake. Every soul is capable of an intensity of activity, of which these 
" better hours are only a slight earnest. In this life the Christian is never 
" satisfied. He seeks a better, purer lifeand higher joy . He is compassed 
"with infirmity, exposed to sorrow, distressed by the sight of sin which by 
" all prayers and tears he cannot prevent 2. The change -which the 
" Christian anticipates, (a) He is to awake, the torpor is to be shaken off, 
" his powers are to stand forth in revived sensibility, life will have new en- 
" ergy, hindrances are to cease, springs of new emotion are to open their foun- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. I4I 

" tains within him. (b) The Christian is to awake with the divine likeness, 
" as we are told, " when he shall appear we shall be like him," have thedi- 
" vine image, never more to be lost or effaced, 3. T/ie condition of the 
" Christian after this change. He will be satisfied with respect to him- 
" self, with his condition, his attainments, his employ, his companions, his 
"prospects. He will be satisfied in respect to God. In some things we 
" cannot now see the goodness nor even the justice of God. Then all will 
" be clear. He will be satisfied in regard to the destiny of all created be- 
" ings. The whole subject of the final destiny is one of perplexity. But 
'• after the change comes the darkness will be driven away. Reflections. 
" (a) What obligations the Christian is under to Christ, (h) What 
" a glorious thing it is for the Christian to die. (c) Behold the infatua- 
" tion of the worldly-minded Christian." 

After leaving the pastorate, owing to the faihire of 
health, Mr. Munroe engaged in labor for the American 
Sunday School Union, and subsequently he became edi- 
tor of the Boston Recorder in connection with Rev. 
Parsons Cooke, who was his life-long friend. He con- 
tinued to reside in Bradford till his death, and he sleeps 
under the evergreens *in the new cemetery with the 
generation he so faithfully served. His memory is 
faithfully cherished by those who still remain to testify 
to his fidelity in the gospel. 



TENTH PASTOEATE. 

Genial, scholarly, versatile McCollom ; born in Salem, 
N. Y., 1814 ; graduated Dartmouth College, 1835 ; tutor 
Dartmouth College, 1837-8; graduated Andover, 1840; 
ordained Pittston, Me. ; installed. Great Falls, 1844 and 
at Bradford, Jan. 25, 1854. The church welcomed him 
heartily. His ministry continued pleasantly through 
twelve years, in which the church was strengthened, 
often refreshed and quickened and enlarged. The re- 
vival of 1857-8, which blessed the churches so widely 
through the land was here a renewal of life. The peo- 
ple with the pastor bowed in prayer and devotion that 
they might rise and go forth with fresh zeal to the 
work of the master. 
. Mr. McCollom was a good sermonizer, his style fresh, 



142 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

his thoughts practical, his manner pleasing and earnest. 
He was peculiarly happy in his addresses to the young. 
The following analysis may show the style of his ad- 
dress and the earnestness of his spirit. The sermon was 
written after leaving Bradford. Text, 1 John, 2: 13. 

" Words written by a very old man, nearly a hundred years had passed 
" over his head, his own work almost done. The venerable apostle looks 
" with deepest interest upon the energy, elasticity, vitality, strength of 
" young men. lie knew the possibilities of good garnered in them. He 
" knew the temptations and dangers and responsibilities. In the .same 
'' spirit I address you, young men, to-night, (a) My first advice is, 
*' LooA -zvell to your strc7igtk, for your strength may be your temptation, 
" and your weakness may be your ruin or may be brought by culture and 
" care, so as to be your salvation here and hereafter. The old heathen 
" exhortation is good enough to be Christian advice, 'know th^'self.' Close 
" beside every virtue lurks a temptation urging you to turn your good into 
" evil, virtue easily degenerates into vice. Courage is a good thing, but 
" it easily degenerates into rashness. Benedict Arnold had courage, but 
" the whole army had not a more reckless, useless, dangerous ofScer. {b) 
^'■Bc gover7tedhy Christian ;princtple. First, last and always de a Ckrist- 
^* tan. You are starting, the sea is bright, beautiful. Courage, then, 
"spread the sail, steer for the land of the blessed ; what doth hinder? 
" The sea is treacherous ; sunken rocks, currents, whii'lwinds, many a 
•• long line of breakers ahead. How are you to navigate such a sea? There 
'•is a chart, a compass, a sure rudder, there is an anchor; take these, 
" you know what they are. (c) Be thoughtful. I mean not reverie but 
"sober, earnest, continuous thought. Reflection separates man from the 
*' brute, it allies him to angels. God allows strong stimulants to act upon 
" us, leadingus to think, and to be eager for knowledge. Nature is before us, 
"with my.steries in power, glory, beauty ; deep, solemn voices comedown 
" from heaven and up from the earth, and within are still more solemn 
" voices, whisperings, questionings, shadowy recollections, longings for 
" truth. ' Who am I?' they are saying. 'Whither am I going?' But 
•' let me caution you. Do not make the common mistake of regarding j.i'f/- 
" ticism and infidelity as proofs of thought and strength, {d) Be ac- 
*' tive You have a work to do ; do it faithfully, earnestly. Action is the 
" rich fruit of meditation. Thought and action are essential. To act 
"without thought is frivolous, to think without action is barren, {e) Be 
" -watchful against temptation. Life will be a rough road even though 
" you are started for the eternal city. What shall we do then ? The Apos- 
"tle tells you : 'Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be 
** strong.' Let me tell you a secret, my young friends : unless you are care- 
" ful you will watch when there is the least danger, and leave danger un- 
" guarded. Men are afaid of breaking down when they are strongest, 
"but are not afraid of their weakness. No man is so afraid of rash gen- 



MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. I43 

" ernsity as the close-fisted man who was never known to do a generous 
" thing. 

The ministry of Mr. McCollom was a delight to the 
whole people. His sermons were able, the variety of 
his topics suited all ages and every class of mind. 
During the civil war he was absent for several months 
with the soldiers, acting under the Christian Commis- 
sion. His words of cheer in the arm}^, in many a tent, 
by many a soldier's sick bed, will be long remembered 
by those who fought the battles of their country. It 
was a strange thing that bonds so strong as those ex- 
isting between pastor and people should be severed. 
But under the influence of a call from the church in 
Medford, the pastor resigned and the people reluctantly 
consented, and he was dismissed Sept. 20, 1865, by a 
council which left for record these v/ords, " His ability, 
his courteousness, his manliness, and his christian char- 
acter have endeared him to the churches around, who 
will unite with this church in deep regret at his de- 
parture." Mr. McCollom often preached in Bradford 
after the close of his pastorate. He welcomed his suc- 
cessor, the present pastor, to the place to which the 
church had called him, and at the installation, Jan. 11, 
1866, he gave the charge to the people with words of 
love and wisdom, and gave to the new pastoral relation 
his heartfelt and prayerful benediction. Where, a few 
years after, the Lord called him home from the labor of 
earth to the reward of heaven, loving hands bore his 
precious form and laid it tenderly in its resting place 
that he might sleep with the great number to whom he 
had ministered, who now rest from their labors. 

I shall not enter upon the years that follow. The 
church holds on in its chosen way. Two seasons of 
special revival have encouraged the people and added 
large numbers to the church since the present pastorate 
began. The population has increased largely, the work 
of the church is enlarged, the hope of the people is still 
in the favoi and blessing of God. 



144 MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD. 

Thus we have followed along the pathway of the 
two hundred j'ears. The footpath of the Yorkshire 
herdsmen has grown broader. The forests have cleared 
away; the river which then unmolested took its way 
to the sea now turns the wheels of our prosperous in- 
dustry and floats on its bosom the burden of an in- 
creasing trade. We look abroad upon a people in the 
full enjoyment of civilization and refinement and afflu- 
ence, and we behold a populous commonwealth with its 
free institutions and its still glowing promise of the 
rarer glory in the coming days. 

The times are auspicious. This church enters on its 
third century of life in the most hopeful day the world 
has ever seen. The church of every name and in all 
the world, after centuries of halting, has fairly com- 
mitted itself to the aggressive work in carrying the 
gospel to every creature under heaven. All paths of 
commerce become the thoroughfares of the gospel. Lib- 
eral sentiment is the sign of the times. Imperial power 
melts away, all nations are becoming free, it is the in- 
evitable j)rogress of events. The thought of the exiled 
Puritan which was in his soul as the exalted vision has 
become the experience of mankind. 

One thing we are to remember. The Yorkshire men, 
those heroes in the primitive life, who laid the founda- 
tions, were men of faith and reverence for God. They 
believed what God said. The "Thus saith God" was. 
ultimate authority. The voice of all that sainted throng 
who in these two hundred years have passed to tlie 
life beyond, would be one in this, " Trust God and 
follow him." 



